Listeria
You can get very sick from some ready-to-eat foods if you wait too long to eat
them. The sickness is called Listeriosis. A germ called Listeria causes it. It's
unusual because it can grow at refrigerator temperatures where most other
foodborne bacteria do not. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it. Only heat can kill
it, but if heated food cools, listeria may grow again.
You should avoid some foods and take special care with others to prevent
listeriosis
Who’s at risk?
• Pregnant women and their unborn babies
• Older adults
• People with cancer, AIDS, and other diseases that weaken the immune systems.
How can I reduce my risk?
• Keep your fridge set at 40
degrees Fahrenheit/4 degrees
Celsius or colder.
• Use precooked and ready-to-eat foods as soon as you can.
Danger: Avoid These Foods
All pregnant women and others at risk should not eat certain foods.
• Don’t eat soft cheeses:
– Mexican-style soft cheeses including: queso blanco, queso fresco, queso de hoja, queso de crema and asadero
– feta, brie, Camembert, blue cheese, and Roquefort
– cheeses made from raw milk.
You don’t have to cut all cheeses from your diet. Cheese can be a good source of protein, vitamins, and calcium when you are pregnant.
• These cheeses are safe to eat:
hard cheeses (such as cheddar and Swiss);
semi-soft cheeses such as mozzarella, pasteurized processed cheeses such as
slices and spreads, cream cheese, and cottage cheese.
• Don’t eat refrigerated smoked seafoodright from the package:
- like salmon,
trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, or mackerel. They might be called “nova-style,” “lox,”
“kippered,” “smoked,” or “jerky.” It is safe to eat smoked seafood if it is cooked
in its dish, like a casserole.
- Canned seafood is safe. Examples are canned salmon or tuna in a pouch.
• Don’t eat refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads. Canned meat spreads and
pâtés are safe.
• Don’t eat raw (unpasteurized) milk or foods that contain raw milk.
Be careful with these foods:
• Ready-to-eat foods: Hot dogs, cold cuts, lunchmeats, deli counter meats, and other ready-to-eat foods. Eat these foods only if they’re reheated until steaming hot. Even cured
meats such as salami must be heated.
• Meats and seafood: Cook these all the way through. Stay away from rare meat and
seafood.
• Leftovers: Reheat all until steaming hot.
• Fruits and vegetables: Listeria can grow on some fruits and vegetables. Do not buy sliced
melon. Wash all fruits and vegetables with water. Scrub hard produce such as cucumbers
and melons with a clean produce brush.
How can I keep my kitchen safe?
• When you buy pre-cooked or ready-to-eat foods that go in the fridge, use them as soon as
you can.
• Clean your fridge often.
• Make sure that the refridgerator
always stays at 40 degrees
Fahrenheit/4 degrees Celsius
or colder. Use a refrigerator
thermometer.
• Read labels. Follow instructions on foods that must be kept in the fridge or have
a “use by” date.
• Wash your hands with warm soapy water after you touch raw foods. Wash any knives or
other tools you used with hot, soapy water before you use them again.
You can get sick from two to 30 days after you eat food. Pregnant women can start early
labor if the infection spreads to the unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you get any
of these symptoms:
• fever and chills
• headache
• upset stomach
• throwing up
To Learn More:
FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
www.cfsan.fda.gov
FDA Office of Women's Health
www.fda.gov/womens
2007