Recent news about an outbreak of listeriosis may have raised concerns about your health, the health of someone you provide care for and the safety of the food that we eat.
Listeriosis is a rare but serious infection that is caused by consuming a type of bacterium called listeria monocytogenes (commonly called listeria) that is found in water and soil.
Senior citizens are at far greater risk of developing listeriosis than the general population, however, listeriosis can usually be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed promptly.
You can minimize your chances of contracting listeriosis (as well as other foodborne illnesses) by following these steps:
In addition, the recommendations below should be followed by senior citizens:
Foods to Avoid: |
Safer alternatives: |
Hot dogs, especially straight from the package without further heating. The fluid within hot dog packages may contain more listeria than the hot dogs. Avoid spreading fluid from packages onto other foods, cutting boards, utensils, dishes and food preparation surfaces. Wash your hands after handling hot dogs. |
Hot dogs reheated until steaming hot |
Non-dried deli-meats |
Dried and salted deli-meats such as salami and pepperoni, as they generally do not support the growth of listeria. In addition, you can reduce your risk by reheating deli-meats until steaming hot. |
Soft and semi-soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert and blue-veined cheese if they are made from unpasteurized milk |
Pasteurized milk and milk products including cheeses made from pasteurized milk |
Refrigerated pâté and meat spreads |
Canned or shelf-stable pâté and meat spreads |
Refrigerated smoked seafood and fish |
Cooked refrigerated smoked seafood and fish. Canned or shelf-stable smoked seafood and fish. |
Raw or undercooked meat, poultry and fish |
Thoroughly cooked meat, poultry and fish |
If you provide care for senior citizens, then please discuss the food recall with them, look in their kitchen and refrigerator for the recalled food products and ask about symptoms.
Listeriosis can cause symptoms such as persistent fever, severe headaches, neck stiffness, cramps, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Symptoms associated with listeriosis can occur in as little as 2 days or as long as 70 days after having consumed food contaminated with listeria. If you or someone that you provide care for is experiencing these symptoms, you should contact your doctor or health provider.
Additional information about the listeriosis outbreak can be found by calling
1-800-O-Canada.