What is listeria? 10mn pounds of meat, poultry recalled in US over fears of outbreak. What you should know
A combo image of listeria bacteria and representative image of a chicken meal
The US has recalled 10-million pounds of meat and poultry products this week due to fears of listeria contamination. The ready-to-eat packs of chicken suspected to have been contaminated by listeria monocytogenes bacteria were made by the food company BrucePac, according to reports.
The issue was found during routine checks by the US agriculture department's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on BrucePac'sproducts, multiple media outlets reported.
The ready-to-eat packs were made between June 19 and October 8 this year andhad been sent to restaurants and other establishments across the nation.
Watch: Bacterial infection causing sudden deaths: Here's what you should know | Gravitas
Authorities fear that these products may have reached some consumers.
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The recalled items bear establishment numbers “51205 or P-51205” near the USDA inspection mark. The food safety authorities advised restaurants and other establishments not to use or serve these products.
They should be discarded or returned to the point of purchase, they said.
What is Listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause the serious infection known as listeriosis. In rare cases, listeriosis can lead to sudden death.
It can affect people of all ages, particularly pregnant women, newborns, old people and those with weak immunity.
The bacteria is often present in contaminated food, particularly off-the-counter and ready-to-eat meats and sweets.
Listeria can be found in unpasterused milk and dairy products as well as some fish and seafood products.
It can sustain itself in low temperatures, even inside refrigerators and freezers, making it difficult to trace or eradicate.
Also, what makes it difficult to detect is that the contaminated food might appear and smell normal.
Listerioisis can lead to serious health issues. It is known to cause menigitis, miscarriages, premature deliveray and stillbirth.
Preventive methods against listeria inlcude heating or cooking food thoroughly, and avoiding contaminated or risky food items, particularly pre-cooked or ready-to-eat ones.
It may take up to 70 days for the symptoms to show. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, fever, msucle pain, head ache, and stiff neck.
If you suspect that you've consumed listeria-infected food, immediately seek medical attention.
Treatment varies depending on severity of infection. Mild infection can be treated with rest and fluid intake. Severe cases might require antibiotic treatment and hospitalisation.
(With inputs from agencies)
