What You Need to Know About the Listeria Outbreak in Cheese and Other Dairy Products

Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in people with weakened immune systems, such as pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and people with chronic medical conditions. Listeria can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

In this blog post, I will explain the recent outbreak of listeria infections linked to cheese and other dairy products, the symptoms and complications of listeria infection, how to prevent and treat listeria infection, and what to do if you have eaten any of the recalled products.

What is the source of the outbreak?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 26 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 11 states as of February 6, 2024. Two deaths have been reported, one from California and one from Texas. Among people who are pregnant, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in their newborn. In this outbreak, two people got sick during their pregnancy and one person had a pregnancy loss. There are also two newborns in the case count for this outbreak because Listeria can be passed to newborns during pregnancy.

The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have identified queso fresco and cotija made by Rizo-López Foods as the source of the outbreak. The recalled products include cheese, yogurt, and sour cream sold under the brand names Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, El Huache, La Ordena, San Carlos, Campesino, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos, Casa Cardenas, and 365 Whole Foods Market. The products were distributed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The investigation is ongoing and more products may be recalled as the outbreak progresses. The CDC advises consumers not to eat any of the recalled products and to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase. Retailers and restaurants should not sell or serve any of the recalled products.

What are the symptoms and complications of listeria infection?

Listeria infection, also known as listeriosis, can cause a variety of symptoms depending on the person and the part of the body affected. The most common symptoms are fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Some people may also experience diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Symptoms usually start 1 to 4 weeks after eating contaminated food, but can start as late as 70 days after exposure.

In pregnant women, listeria infection can cause flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, these symptoms may be mild or unnoticed. Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to serious complications for the mother and the baby, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

In people with weakened immune systems, listeria infection can spread to the bloodstream, brain, or spinal cord, causing sepsis, meningitis, or encephalitis. These are life-threatening conditions that require immediate medical attention.

How can listeria infection be prevented and treated?

The best way to prevent listeria infection is to avoid eating foods that are likely to be contaminated with listeria, such as raw or unpasteurized milk and dairy products, soft cheeses, deli meats, hot dogs, smoked seafood, and raw sprouts. You should also wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces before and after handling food, cook meat and poultry thoroughly, refrigerate leftovers promptly, and keep your refrigerator below 40°F.

If you think you have eaten any of the recalled products or have symptoms of listeria infection, you should contact your health care provider as soon as possible. Listeria infection can be diagnosed by a blood or spinal fluid test. Listeria infection can be treated with antibiotics, but the treatment may vary depending on the severity of the infection and the health status of the person. Early diagnosis and treatment can reduce the risk of serious complications and death.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about listeria infection and the outbreak:

• Q: How can I tell if the cheese or dairy product I bought is part of the recall?
• A: You can check the product label for the brand name, lot code, and expiration date. You can also visit the FDA website for a list of the recalled products and photos of the product labels. If you are not sure whether the product you have is part of the recall, do not eat it and throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
• Q: What if I ate some of the recalled products but do not have any symptoms?
• A: If you ate some of the recalled products and do not have any symptoms, you do not need to do anything. However, you should monitor your health for the next two months and seek medical attention if you develop any symptoms of listeria infection. You should also inform your health care provider that you ate some of the recalled products.
• Q: What if I am pregnant and ate some of the recalled products?
• A: If you are pregnant and ate some of the recalled products, you should contact your health care provider as soon as possible. Even if you do not have any symptoms, you may need to take antibiotics to prevent infection of your baby. You should also monitor your health and your baby’s health for the next two months and seek medical attention if you or your baby develop any symptoms of listeria infection.
• Q: How can I protect myself and my family from listeria infection in the future?
• A: You can protect yourself and your family from listeria infection by following these food safety tips:
  • Avoid eating foods that are likely to be contaminated with listeria, such as raw or unpasteurized milk and dairy products, soft cheeses, deli meats, hot dogs, smoked seafood, and raw sprouts.
  • Wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces before and after handling food.
  • Cook meat and poultry thoroughly and use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature.
  • Refrigerate leftovers promptly and eat them within 3 to 4 days.
  • Keep your refrigerator below 40°F and clean it regularly.
  • Follow the recall notices and do not eat any of the recalled products.

I hope this blog post was helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading and stay safe!