If you have purchased sliced meat from the deli counter lately, you may want to heat it up as a precaution.

Listeria

Listeria is a foodborne illness that for many healthy people, it isn't a problem.  However immunocompromised people, pregnant people, and people over 65 can have serious complications.

According to the Mayo Clinic:

Listeria infection is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for pregnant women, people older than 65 and people with weakened immune systems. It's most commonly caused by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products.

Healthy people rarely become ill from listeria infection, but the disease can be fatal to unborn babies, newborns and people with weakened immune systems. Prompt antibiotic treatment can help curb the effects of listeria infection.

Listeria bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing

 

Listeria Outbreak Linked to Deli Meat Sliced at Delis

The CDC recently shared that they are investigating a listeria outbreak that has been linked to meat sliced at deli counters in 10 different states, including Illinois.

Many people in this outbreak are reporting eating meats that they had sliced at deli counters. Investigators are collecting information to determine the specific products that may be contaminated. Products sold at the deli, especially those sliced or prepared at the deli, can be contaminated with Listeria. Listeria spreads easily among deli equipment, surfaces, hands and food. Refrigeration does not kill Listeria, but reheating to a high enough temperature before eating will kill any germs that may be on these meats.

So far this outbreak is linked to sliced deli meat in 11 different states:

• Illinois
• Minnesota
• Wisconsin
• Missouri
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• Virginia
• Pennsylvania
• New York
• NewJersey
• Massachusetts

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What to Do if You're in the High-Risk Catagory

According to the CDC if you are pregnant, have a weakened immune system, or are over the age of 65, you need to be sure to heat your deli meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.  This temperature will kill the listeria bacteria therefore making the food safe to eat.

The CDC also recommends the following:

• Do not eat meats you get sliced at any deli counter, unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot. Let it cool before you eat it.

  • Listeria can grow on foods kept in the refrigerator, but it is easily killed by heating food to a high enough temperature.

• Clean your refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats.

• Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:

  • People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
  • Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. However, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.

• Provide information to help us identify the specific deli products