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Listeria

Summary

What it is

Common uses

Public Perception

Anxiety level

Cultural claims

Source sentiment

History

Timeline

Origin

Science

Key findings

Studies

Safety status

Nuance

Alternatives

Swaps

Avoidance tips

References

Fact-checked by Lucent 3 months ago

Listeria

ingredientContaminants

Total Sources: 48

Verified Claims: 39

Scientific Sources: 25

Summary

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can cause a severe infection called listeriosis, primarily affecting pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems [15], [16], [37]. It is found in various environments, including soil, water, and food, and can grow even under refrigeration [8], [16], [29].

What it is

Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a serious foodborne illness [15], [18]. It is a facultative anaerobic intracellular bacterium, meaning it can survive and grow in both the presence and absence of oxygen, and inside host cells [8], [15].

Common uses

Contaminant in ready-to-eat foods [15]
Contaminant in products with longer shelf life [15]
Contaminant in cooked foods [15]
Contaminant in soft cheeses [15]

Public Perception

Anxiety level

High. Listeria outbreaks often lead to recalls and raise significant public health concerns, especially for vulnerable populations [26], [27], [28].

Cultural claims

Increased consumption of raw sprouts is associated with more healthful lifestyles [19].
Artisan cheeses are safe because of traditional manufacturing processes [33].

Source sentiment

News sources express concern over Listeria outbreaks, emphasizing the need for consumer awareness and preventative measures [26], [28], [31].

History

Timeline

1860

Louis Pasteur's research demonstrated that thermal processing could deactivate unwanted microorganisms in wine [32].

1924

Listeria was first isolated by Murray as Bacterium monocytogenes [17].

1927

Pirie proposed the genus Listerella in honor of British surgeon Sir Joseph Lister [17].

1940

Pirie proposed the alternative name Listeria [17].

1983

The first human listeriosis outbreak, directly linked to the consumption of Listeria contaminated foodstuffs, was reported by Schlech [18].

1994

The microbiological safety of sprouted seeds emerged as a unique problem for the FDA [19].

1995

An elevation in the number of food-borne outbreaks raised FDA concerns about the safety of sprouted seeds [19].

2017

A large-scale listeria outbreak in South Africa was linked to contaminated processed meat products [36].

2024

A Listeria outbreak in the U.S. was linked to deli-sliced meats, resulting in hospitalizations and deaths [16], [26].

Origin

Listeria monocytogenes was discovered by E.G.D. Murray following an epidemic affecting rabbits and guinea pigs in animal care houses in Cambridge, England [18].

First appeared: 1926

Science

Key findings

Listeria monocytogenes can survive and grow at refrigeration temperatures, complicating food safety [8], [16].
Infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, premature delivery, and neonatal infections [15].
The overall pooled prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in retail food products in South Korea was 2.26% [5].
Meat exhibited the highest prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes at 8.32% [5].

Studies

A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of...

The overall pooled prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes was 2.26%, with meat exhibiting the highest prevalence at 8.32% [5].

Mortality risk factors related to listeriosis — A meta-analysis

Mortality risk factors related to listeriosis include age ≥ 60 years, primary bacteremia, central nervous system involvement, non-hematological malignancies, alcoholism, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and pulmonary disease [8].

Safety status

Unsafe for vulnerable populations. Listeria monocytogenes poses a significant risk to pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals [15], [16], [27], [37].

Nuance

While listeriosis is often preventable, the bacterium's ability to survive in diverse environments and the long incubation period pose challenges for control and prevention [8], [16].

Alternatives

Pasteurized Dairy Products
Pasteurization kills Listeria and other harmful bacteria [32].

Tempeh
A cake made from fermented soybeans with a firmer texture than tofu, it's a popular meat substitute [23].

Kimchi
Spicy, reddish fermented cabbage dish made with garlic, salt, vinegar, and chili peppers [23].

Avoidance tips

Avoid soft cheeses, unless it's clear from the packaging that the product was made using pasteurized milk [25].
Avoid hot dogs, luncheon meats, and deli meats, unless they're reheated until steaming hot [25].
Don't eat refrigerated pates or meat spreads. Canned or shelf-stable pates and meat spreads are acceptable [25].
Don't eat refrigerated smoked seafood. Canned or shelf-stable smoked seafood products are acceptable [25].
Scrub raw vegetables with a brush under running water [25], [29].
Cook food thoroughly using a food thermometer [25], [29].
Wash your hands with warm soapy water before and after handling food [25], [29].