By: Brittney Perry

How do we know what we are eating is safe? Well if it wasn’t, surely it wouldn’t be on the shelves. What if for nearly 10 years, a food-borne ilness has been infecting our everyday food items, but nothing was being done? Sounds crazy right? Wrong!

On June 15, 2014, an illness of Listeria monocytogenes was noted by the CDC. Two more Listeria outbreaks were noted between 2014 and January 2017. The CDC investigated the outbreak in 2017, and again in 2021 after 9 more outbreaks had occurred. However, there was not enough information to identify a specific brand linked to the outbreak. After reports of new illnesses in December 2023, the CDC decided to reopen the investigation in January of 2024. After nearly 10 years, the outbreak strain was found to be in a cheese sample from Rizo-López Foods2. 

On February 6, 2024, a total of 26 people had been infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria. Of the 26 people, 23 have been hospitlized and 2 deaths have been reported. However, the CDC states that “the true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported”2.  The CDC and the FDA released a statement on the recall of Rizo-López Foods and Fresh Creations Foods. Epidemiology and recent laboratory data showed that queso fresco and different cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo-López Foods were making people sick1.

Listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses (About 260 people per year). However, unlike Salmonella and E.Coli, Listeria can continue to grow while refrigereated3. Anyone can get the bacteria by eating contaminated foods, however pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk. Listeria can be found in water and soil, and infected animals. “Eating food contaminated with the bacteria, such as through raw (unpasteurized) milk or contaminated vegebtables, is often a source for cases”4.

Photo Source: Schoder, D., Guldimann, C., & Märtlbauer, E. (2022, November 1). Asymptomatic carriage of listeria monocytogenes by animals and humans and its impact on the Food Chain. MDPI. https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/21/3472 

So how do we keep ourselves safe? Recommendations include: Only consuming pateruized milk or dairy products, Do not eat soft cheeses unless labeled pasteurized, Throw away cut melons left at room temperature for more than 4 hours, Do not eat hot dogs or deli meats unless heated to an interenal temperature of 165ºF, Do not eat raw or lightly cooked sprouts, and Refrigerate lefovers within 2 hours of cooking4.

So remember, always double check your food purchases; because on the shelf does not equal safe for your health!

  1. Affairs, O. of R. (2024, February 12). Rizo-lópez foods and fresh creations foods, along with the FDA, have issued a recall of all Chicken Street Taco meal kit units due to the potential contamination of listeria monocytogenes. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/rizo-lopez-foods-and-fresh-creations-foods-along-fda-have-issued-recall-all-chicken-street-taco-meal 
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, February 6). Investigation details. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/cheese-02-24/details.html 
  3. LaMotte, S. (2024, February 8). Listeria outbreak: What to know and how to protect yourself. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/08/health/listeria-outbreak-prevention-explained-wellness/index.html 
  4. New York State Department of Health. (2023, March). Listeriosis (Listeria infection). Department of Health. https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/listeriosis/fact_sheet.htm#:~:text=Listeria%20can%20be%20spread%20to,at%20the%20time%20of%20birth.