31/07/10: Listeria, Listeria Everywhere

Just within the past week, organic spouts, peppers, and hummus have been recalled for Listeria contamination.

Sprouts Recalled for Listeria

Corn and Poblano Peppers Recalled for Listeria

Hummus Recalled for Listeria Contamination

Listeria monocytogenes (commonly referred to as Listeria) is a pathogenic bacteria that contaminates vegetables, raw meats, and unpasteurized milk. Individuals who consume food with Listeria can develop Listeriosis, a potentially fatal infection that can cause fever, muscle aches, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and miscarriages in pregnant women.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, those especially susceptible to Listeriosis include:

- Pregnant women

- Newborns

- Elderly individuals

- Those with a chronic disease or compromised immune system

For more information on Listeria, please visit the excellent resource below:

http://www.about-listeria.com/

The message to learn from the recalls above is simple. No food is completely safe from dangerous bacteria. It does not matter if you choose organic. As we have seen, organic foods are not guaranteed 100% bacteria-free.

Regardless of what food you buy, you should thoroughly wash and cook your food.