What is Listeria?

The news that a large U.S. ice cream maker issued a complete recall of all products because of a positive test for a potentially deadly bacteria has many people asking question: “What it listeria?”

The recall may also have some people wondering about the safety of certain ice creams. The good news is, this type of massive recall is pretty rare.

Now, back to the question of what is listeria. Listeria is often found in soil and water. It also lives in animals’ digestive tracks. Animals can carry it without getting sick. However, it can cause severe illness in people.

So how could it possibly get in our foods?

Listeria can get into our food supply through contaminated crops or food processing factories, where it can live for years. It’s possible this is what happened in this current ice cream recall. Listeria has been found in unpasteurized milk and cheeses, uncooked meats, fruits, vegetables and some processed foods such as soft cheeses, hot dogs and smoked salmon.

There are steps to take to avoid listeria. If there is any doubt about the freshness or cleanliness of a food, toss it. Rinse raw produce thoroughly. Scrub hard produce (like melons) with a clean scrub brush. Keep raw meat separate from vegetables and cooked foods. Keep a clean kitchen and cooking area.