​​Listeria Monocytogenes

Listeria infection is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States. CDC estimates that each year in the United States, 1,600 people are infected with Listeria, and 260 people die from the infection.

Who is at risk?

Listeria infection can be especially harmful for some people, including:

  • Pregnant people
  • Newborns
  • Adults aged 65 or older
  • People with weakened immune systems

Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.
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How Listeria spreads

Listeria are hardy germs. They can spread to and from food.

Places that Listeria can spread include food processing facilities. After getting into a food processing facility, Listeria can be difficult to fully remove. In the facility, Listeria can spread to food that touches contaminated surfaces or equipment.

The germs even can grow in food kept in the refrigerator.

If we eat food contaminated with Listeria, the germs can spread to us and cause a harmful infection.


​If you have purchased foods that have been recalled due to an outbreak:

  • Do not eat recalled foods. Check your refrigerator/freezer for any recalled foods and throw them away or return them to the store. Listeria can grow on foods kept in the refrigerator.
  • Clean your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have touched recalled foods.

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Symptoms

Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.

Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions. If you have eaten a recalled product and have symptoms, contact your doctor.​

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