Listeria Lawyer & Attorney : Marler Clark Law Firm : Listeria Blog

Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) is a pathogenic (disease-causing) bacterium that is food borne and causes an illness called listeriosis. It is frequently overlooked as a possible cause of illness due to its unique growth capabilities. First, it is somewhat difficult for laboratories to grow, and when they do so, Listeria can be confused with common harmless contaminants and disregarded. Second, most bacteria grow poorly when temperatures fall below 40"F, while Listeria survives in temperatures from below freezing (20"F) to body temperature and it grows best at 0"F to 50"F,1 including the temperature range that we use for refrigeration. As a result, Listeria may be transmitted in ready-to-eat foods that have been kept properly refrigerated. Its ability to grow in such diverse environments is just one of the many challenges presented by this dangerous bacterium.

It is estimated that Listeria causes approximately 1,600 cases of listeriosis annually, resulting in 415 deaths.

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February 22, 2005

LOS ANGELES -- A North Hollywood company is recalling its packaged sandwiches and salads because they may be contaminated with listeria.

Fay's Foods, Inc. said it is recalling sandwiches and salads packaged in clear film or plastic containers under the labels Fay's and Just For You. The packages have codes ranging from 05003 through 05049 stamped on the bottom.

Most of the sandwiches and salads were sold through convenience stores in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, he said.

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Friday, February 18, 2005
infoZine Staff

Although healthy persons may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women, or the baby may be born with listeriosis.

Tallahassee, FL - Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced that Florida Smoked Fish of Miami is recalling its packages of The Boy's Farmer Market brand of "Smoked Nova Salmon" because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

The recalled "Smoked Nova Salmon" was distributed nationwide. The "Smoked Nova Salmon" comes in a clear, plastic wrapped, 1 pound package with a use-by date of 4/24/05, batch 31997. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

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Sat, Feb. 19, 2005
Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - A North Hollywood company is recalling its packaged sandwiches and salads because they may be contaminated with listeria.

Fay's Foods, Inc. said it is recalling sandwiches and salads packaged in clear film or plastic containers under the labels Fay's and Just For You. The packages have codes ranging from 05003 through 05049 stamped on the bottom.

The products were produced from Jan. 3 through Friday but it is unlikely that any of the older goods are still around, the company's president, Roger Glade, said Saturday.

"They are fragile, perishable product that under best circumstances have a one-week shelf life," he said.

Most of the sandwiches and salads were sold through convenience stores in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, he said.

The recall was made after routine testing found listeria bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.

No illnesses have been reported, Glade said.

Consumers who bought sandwiches can return them for a refund.

Listeria infection can create fever, upset stomach and other symptoms. It can cause more serious problems in pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

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2/18/2005

LOS ANGELES A North Hollywood company is recalling packaged sandwiches and salads because they may be contaminated with the Listeria bug.

Fay's Foods says the products were packaged in clear film or plastic containers labeled Fay's or Just For You.

(The packages have a code stamped on the bottom. The codes are 05003 through 05049).

No illnesses have been reported but the company says consumers should return the products to the place of purchase for a refund.

The Listeria bacteria can cause fever, headaches, nausea and other symptoms. The infection can be serious or even fatal to young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

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Feb. 17 HealthLink briefs
hursday, February 17, 2005
From KING Staff Reports

There's a nationwide recall of Boy's Farmers Market brand smoked salmon because of possible contamination. The smoked salmon could be tainted with listeria monocytogenes. The organism can be deadly to young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

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local6.com
February 16, 2005

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida Smoked Fish of Miami is recalling smoked salmon that could contain a potentially fatal organism.

The recall of Boy's Farmer Market brand involves Smoked Nova Salmon.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson said today that officials are investigating potential contamination of the packaged salmon with Listeria monocytogenes.

The organism can cause serious infections.

It can be fatal when it infects young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

So far, health officials have reported no illnesses linked to the salmon.

Symptoms usually include fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled Smoked Nova Salmon was distributed nationwide.

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2/10/05
Staff Reports

WASHINGTON -- Fortner Foods Commissary of Murfreesboro is recalling ready-to-eat ham that may be contaminated with Listeria bacteria and was distributed to four pizzerias in Rutherford County, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced yesterday.

The ham was distributed to four Sir Pizza restaurants, two in Murfreesboro and one each in La Vergne and Smyrna. It may have been an ingredient in several menu items served at the restaurants Feb. 5 and 6, the inspection service said.

The inspection service discovered the problem through routine sampling. No reports of illness associated with the product have been received.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Its symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. It can cause miscarriages and stillbirths and can cause serious infections in those with weak immune systems, the inspection service warned.

Consumers with food-safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline, 1-888-674-6854. The hot line is available in English and Spanish. It is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday.

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WASHINGTON--A Murfreesboro food company has voluntarily recalled ready-to-eat ham that may be contaminated with listeria.

Fortner Foods Commissary said the ham was distributed to four Sir Pizza restaurants, two in Murfreesboro and one each in La Vergne and Smyrna.

It may have been an ingredient in menu items served last Saturday and Sunday.

The Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service said it has received no reports of illness associated with the ham.

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Mon, Jan. 31, 2005
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - A New York firm is recalling about 5,760 pounds of chicken products because of possible listeria contamination, the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Monday.

Schreiber Processing Corp. of Maspeth has received no reports of illness, the recall said.

The products were produced on Aug. 10 and Dec. 5, 2004. The recalled products are:

_48-ounce boxes of Empire Kosher Fully Cooked Buffalo Style Wings, Chicken Wings Coated in Sauce, with date code 1444.

_28-ounce boxes of Empire Kosher Fully Cooked, Breaded, Fried Chicken, six to nine assorted pieces, with date code 0274.

Each product also bears the establishment number P-787 inside the USDA seal of inspection.

They were distributed to retail stores in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

ON THE NET

Food Safety and Inspection Service: http://www.fsis.usda.gov

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For Immediate Release:
January 27, 2005

Contact:
Chris Link 757-622-7382

Southern Pines, N.C. -- PETA had hoped to place its brand-new billboard--showing a middle-aged couple next to the tagline "Meat Causes Cancer Ö Go Vegetarian"--in Southern Pines in time for the North Carolina Meat Processors Association Conference next week, but it was rejected by the area--s outdoor advertising company, despite the fact that the ad has been displayed in Baltimore, Houston, and Trenton, N.J. PETA wanted to remind residents that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Studies published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, the International Journal of Cancer, the American Journal of Epidemiology, and many other medical periodicals provide evidence that eating meat increases a person--s risk of developing cancer and that a diet based on grains, fruits, and vegetables significantly decreases that risk. Consumption of meat and other animal products has also been linked to heart disease, strokes, obesity, and diabetes, as well as life-threatening bacterial infections such as salmonella, E. coli, and listeria. And of course, the best way to avoid contracting the human form of mad cow disease is to adopt a humane, environmentally friendly, healthful vegetarian diet.

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Florida inspectors find listeria in package
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
BY AMANDA GERUT
Star-Ledger Staff

Perona Farms, a producer of smoked salmon, has instituted a voluntary recall of its signature cured fish because of potential bacteria contamination, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The Smoked Atlantic Salmon has been recalled from ShopRite, Price Chopper/Golub, Weis Markets, Earth Fare and Publix supermarket chains because the Florida Department of Agriculture and Markets found listeria organisms in a 4-ounce package during a random inspection, the FDA said.

Listeria can cause fatal infections in young children or the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, according to the FDA. In healthy people, the bacteria can cause high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. In pregnant women, a listeria infection can cause miscarriages.

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January 14, 2005
By Shyunti Das

Assistant Professor Trevor Phister spoke about food microbiology as part of the Dean Seminar Series Jan. 12 in the Living Arts Lounge. Phister joined Drexel University in 2004, and teaches microbiology in the College of Arts and Sciences.

In his lecture, titled "Studies in Food Microbiology from Foodborne Illness to Why Your Wine Smells like a Wet Dog", he spoke about the subsets of food microbiology, including food safety, fermentations and biotechnology, as well as his own specific research interests.

Phister explained how pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter jejuni cause foodborne illnesses in food such as cheese, cold cuts, vegetables and poutry.

Interaction between bacteria are often responsible for whether or not a bacteria survives in these food.

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USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service released a report that found the interim final rule to reduce Listeria in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products is having a positive effect. The overall safety of these products has improved because establishments have strengthened their control procedures, increased testing, and taken additional steps to eliminate the pathogen, FSIS said.

"Under the Listeria rule, ready-to-eat meat and poultry products are safer and public health is being better protected," Agriculture Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elsa Murano said. "If progress continues at the current rate, we should achieve the Healthy People 2010 goal of lowering the incidence of listeriosis to 0.25 cases per 100,000 people."

The report was prepared by a 28-member FSIS assessment team that measured the effectiveness of all aspects of the interim rule and its effect on public health. The report is online at www.fsis.usda.gov/Oppde/rdad/frpubs/97-013F/LM_Assessment_Report_2004.pdf. FSIS will take comments on the report until Jan. 31.

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WASHINGTON - According to the Associated Press, a New York firm is recalling about 5,760 pounds of chicken products because of possible listeria contamination, the Agriculture Department's Food Safety and Inspection Service said Monday.

Schreiber Processing Corp. of Maspeth has received no reports of illness, the recall said.

The products were produced on Aug. 10 and Dec. 5, 2004. The recalled products are:

n 48-ounce boxes of Empire kosher fully cooked Buffalo-style wings, chicken wings coated in sauce, with date code 1444.

n 28-ounce boxes of Empire kosher fully cooked, breaded, fried chicken, six to nine assorted pieces, with date code 0274.

Each product also bears the establishment number P-787 inside the USDA seal of inspection.

They were distributed to retail stores in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

For additional online information, visit the Food Safety and Inspection Service Web site at www.fsis.usda.gov.

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By Pat Camuso
Jan 4, 2005

BROOKLYN, NY- Acme Smoked Fish Corporation located at 30 Gem Street - Brooklyn, NY 11222 is recalling one hundred and two pounds (102 Lbs.) / 17 cases of Sliced Smoked Nova Salmon packed in 8 oz. plastic cup/container coded with a sell-by-date of 12/24/04 distributed to Stop & Shop Supermarket located at 385 RT 25A & Miller PI. Rd. - Miller Place, NY 11764 due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Listeria monocytogenes is a common organism found in nature. It can cause serious complications for pregnant women. Other problems can manifest in people with compromised immune systems.

The problem was discovered after routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Market's Food Inspectors and subsequent analysis by the Department's Food Laboratory Personnel revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers who have purchased the Acme Brand - Sliced Smoked Nova Salmon packed in 8 oz. plastic cup/container coded with a sell-by-date of 12/24/04 should not consume it, but should return it to the place of purchase or discard it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718-383-8585.

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Jan. 05, 2005
By Harold Brubaker

Guy Giordano has no stomach for risking the future of the roast beef company that bears his father's name.

That's why Vincent Giordano Corp. spent $2 million on a packaging system to ensure that no listeria contaminates the more than 250,000 pounds of roast beef, corned beef and pastrami that the South Philadelphia company ships weekly to Acme, Wawa and other customers.

"I don't think anybody else has safer product on the street right now," Giordano said yesterday.

Several other area meat processors, including Dietz & Watson Inc. in Philadelphia and Snow Ball Foods L.L.C. in Gloucester County, have also spent millions in the last few years to improve food safety at their plants.

Many of the changes were spurred by a U.S. Department of Agriculture regulation issued in 2003 to prevent the contamination of pre-cooked meat and poultry by listeria monocytogenes, an often lethal strain of a common bacteria. Yesterday, though, the Consumer Federation of America said government and industry had not done enough, arguing in a 41-page report that the Bush administration weakened the proposed listeria regulation, which was published in the final days of the Clinton administration.

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Consumer group: Politics impacted listeria protections
By Jon BonnÈ
MSNBC
Jan. 5, 2005

The meat industry's lobbying and close ties to the Bush administration helped prevent more stringent food-safety rules that guard against listeria from being enacted, a consumer group charged Tuesday.

The Consumer Federation of America claims that lobbying of Department of Agriculture officials by manufacturers of ready-to-eat products like hot dogs and deli meats resulted in a significant weakening of proposed rules intended to keep Americans safe from the potentially deadly bacteria.

"The Bush administration has quietly abandoned the goal of reducing the listeria rate," said Carol Tucker Foreman, director of the federation's Food Policy Institute and one of the report's authors.

Listeria monocytogenes, a naturally occurring pathogen, can be found in meat, fish and dairy products, as well as refrigerators and storage spaces.

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Wed, Jan 05, 2005
By LIBBY QUAID, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Listeria food poisoning increased slightly in 2003, according to a consumer group that said the Bush administration stalled and then changed regulations aimed at curbing the sometimes deadly infection.

Citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (news - web sites), the Consumer Federation of America said there were 3.3 cases for every 1 million people in 2003, compared with 2.7 cases per million in 2002. Data for 2004 are not yet available.

"The Bush administration's USDA, while arguing that its actions are based on sound science, actually has developed rules based on sympathetic science, science that's driven by industry convenience and political influence," Carol Tucker Foreman, the author of the consumer group's report, told reporters Tuesday.

Foreman said she was not asserting a link between the Agriculture Department's approach and the 2003 increase in food poisoning cases. "I'm just saying that the two events occurred together," she said.

Government and industry officials said the report ignores other government data showing that meat and poultry products are safer. In 2003, tests turned up 25 percent fewer cases of listeria contamination, and recalls dropped to 14 from 40 the previous year.

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The San Fransisco Chronicle
Sunday, January 2, 2005
Food and Drug Administration

-- Greek Foods & Gifts Direct Inc. of New Jersey is recalling 387 cases of Provato brand Manouri traditional Greek cheese because it might be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes. The bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. The recall was the result of a routine FDA sampling program, which discovered the bacteria after the FDA had released the product in error.

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Listeria are bacteria which can cause an infection known as listeriosis. The bacteria are very resistant to common food preservation agents such as heat, salt, nitrite, and acids. It can also multiply in refrigerated foods. Listeria is often present in the intestines of seemingly healthy animals. The bacteria can contaminate milk and meat products produced from infected animals and can also contaminate vegetables fertilized with contaminated manure.

Since the early 1980s Listeria infections have been traced to food products such as coleslaw, milk, soft cheeses, hot dogs, and luncheon meats. Pregnant women are advised to avoid foods, such as soft cheeses, that are easily contaminated with Listeria. Taking precautions such as thoroughly cooking foods, eating only pasteurized milk products, washing fruits and vegetables, and washing hands after contact with raw meat also reduces the chances of contracting listeriosis.

The federal government has established programs to test for Listeria in ready-to-eat foods and to recall food containing the bacteria. Healthy people are generally resistant to listeriosis but pregnant women are very susceptible to the infection. Listeria infections in pregnant women may result in miscarriages or stillbirths. Meningitis (brain infections) and septicemia (bacteria in the bloodstream) may occur in infants born to women with listeriosis.

Description of Listeria
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA, April 1992), "Listeria refers to a genus (related group) of bacteria. One species in this genus, Listeria monocytogenes, can cause a serious bacterial infection called listeriosis. Usually when public health officials refer to Listeria, they are referring specifically to Listeria monocytogenes."

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ALBANY, NY -- December 7, 2004 -- State Agriculture Commissioner Nathan L. Rudgers today warned consumers of possible Listeria contamination of certain hot, dry, pork sausage sold by the Calabria Pork Store, 2338 Arthur Avenue, The Bronx, New York 10458.

The hot, dry, pork sausage was sold at retail in bulk, uncoded and unpackaged form from The Bronx store.

The Calabria Pork Store is voluntarily recalling the product which was sold between November 23, 2004 and December 7, 2004.

The problem was discovered as a result of routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Inspectors, and subsequent analysis by the Department's Food laboratory. Production of the hot, dry, pork sausage has been suspended while an investigation continues into the source of the problem.

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Congressional and Public Affairs
(202) 720-9113
Steven Cohen

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1, 2004 - A report outlining the impact of the interim final rule designed to further reduce the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) in ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products and making recommendations for possible future actions was released for public comment today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The report shows that the overall safety of these products has improved in response to the Listeria interim final rule because establishments have strengthened their control procedures, increased testing and taken additional steps to eliminate the pathogen.

"Under the Listeria rule, ready-to-eat meat and poultry products are safer and public health is being better protected," Agriculture Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Elsa Murano said. "If progress continues at the current rate, we should achieve the Healthy People 2010 goal of lowering the incidence of listeriosis to 0.25 cases per 100,000 people."

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Fri, Oct. 22, 2004
Some things every pregnant woman should know
By NEVY KAMINSKI
Knight Ridder Newspapers

A few weeks ago when I found out I was pregnant, I really thought I knew it all.

After all, I had been working toward this goal since my November nuptials, and I thought I was pretty well-informed and educated on the subject.

But after going through a stack of books and magazines, visiting my doctor and having several conversations with experienced moms, I realized I had a lot to learn. It's good that women have nine long months to learn about the process.

This is a list of just some of the things that I, as a first-time mom-to-be, have learned. It's a good start, but don't forget to use these months to scour the Internet, go to your bookstore or library, talk to your doctor and query other moms about their experiences. In short, find out as much as you can.

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Fri, Nov. 05, 2004
HERALD-LEADER STAFF REPORT

Several chicken products sold by the Whole Foods Market in Louisville and in several other states were recalled Wednesday because of possible Listeria contamination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The recalled products, from Whole Foods Mid-Atlantic Kitchen, were distributed to Whole Foods Markets in Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia. The only Whole Foods location in Kentucky is at 4944 Shelbyville Road in Louisville.

The recall includes about 1,275 pounds of chicken products.

Listeria is a bacteria that can sicken people with compromised immune systems and can cause stillbirths and miscarriages in pregnant women.

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By JOHN WILEN
Bucks County Courier Times

The listeria outbreak that forced Pilgrim's Pride to recall 27.4 million pounds of poultry products processed at its Franconia plant in Montgomery County two years ago has spawned a criminal investigation, federal authorities confirmed Tuesday.

"The investigation is open and it is ongoing," said Deirdre MacNeil, a spokeswoman with the Department of Agriculture's Inspector General's Office, which is conducting the investigation with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Philadelphia.

MacNeil declined further comment on the investigation Tuesday, citing standard department policy.

Stephen Cohen, a spokesman for the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, said the investigation does not involve FSIS actions.

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Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-040-2004 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

WASHINGTON, November 3, 2004 - Whole Foods Mid-Atlantic Kitchen, a Landover, Md. firm, is voluntarily recalling approximately 1,275 pounds of chicken products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today.

The products subject to recall are:
12 oz."WHOLE FOODS CHICKEN POT PIE." Each package contains a best if used by date of "11/02/04."
10 lb. bags of "WHOLE FOODS Classic Chicken Salad." Each bag has a use by date of "11/01/04."
15 oz. containers of "WHOLE FOODS CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP, SMALL." Each container has a sell by date of "11/04/04."
30 oz. containers of "WHOLE FOODS CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP, LARGE." Each container has a sell by date of "11/04/04."

All products bear the establishment number "P-18768" inside the USDA seal of inspection.

The chicken pot pie and chicken noodle soup were produced on October 28, 2004. The chicken salad was produced on October 27, 2004. All products were distributed to retail stores in the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

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Microbiologic implication of meat as a source of clinical listeriosis has not previously been documented. In December 1988, a woman with cancer was hospitalized in Oklahoma with sepsis caused by Listeria monocytogenes (LM). LM was isolated from an open package of Plantation Brand turkey franks from the patient's refrigerator.

The patient had eaten one turkey frank daily heated in a microwave oven. LM was also isolated from two unopened packages of Plantation Brand turkey franks from a local store. Cultures of other foods in the patient's refrigerator were positive for LM; however, unopened samples of those foods were negative for LM. LM isolates from the patient and from the opened and unopened packages of franks were confirmed at CDC as serotype 1/2a with the same electrophoretic enzyme type.

On April 14, 1989, the company voluntarily recalled the franks, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture began an investigation of the processing plant. Multiple products from the patient's refrigerator grew LM of the same serotype and enzyme type, suggesting cross-contamination; therefore, isolation of LM from opened packages is not sufficient to identify the source of infection.

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Although outbreaks of invasive disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes have been associated with ingestion of a variety of contaminated foods (1-5), most listeriosis in the United States occurs as isolated or sporadic cases. To determine the incidence of listeriosis and identify risk factors for disease, during 1988-1990, CDC collaborated with investigators in four states to conduct active laboratory-based surveillance and special studies in a population of more than 18 million U.S. residents. This report summarizes the findings of these studies (6,7).

The study areas included Los Angeles County, the San Francisco Bay area, the Atlanta metropolitan area, four counties in Tennessee, and the state of Oklahoma. Investigators made regular calls to all hospital laboratories and completed case report forms for all residents in whom L. monocytogenes was isolated from a usually sterile site (e.g., blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or amniotic fluid).

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Since early August 1998, 40 illnesses caused by a single strain of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) have been identified in 10 states: Ohio (13 cases); New York (12); Tennessee, Massachusetts, and West Virginia (three each); Michigan (two); and Connecticut, Oregon, Vermont, and Georgia (one each). Dates of illness onset or LM isolation ranged from August 2 through December 2. All LM isolates from these cases are serotype 4b and share an unusual pattern when subtyped either by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis or by ribotyping methods. Historically, this pattern is rare among LM isolates from humans.

Among 38 patients for whom demographic data are available, six were newborns and 32 were adults (median age: 69 years; range: 18-88 years); 55% of patients were female. Four deaths occurred, including one fetus and three elderly persons.

In collaboration with CDC, health departments in Connecticut, New York, Ohio, and Tennessee conducted a multistate case-control study comparing 4-week food histories of 20 patients infected with the outbreak strain with those of 20 control patients infected with other LM strains. Sixteen (89%) of 18 cases but only six (32%) of 19 controls consumed cooked hot dogs during the month before illness onset (odds ratio=17.3; 95% confidence interval=2.4-160.0; pless than 0.01). On December 19, the outbreak strain of LM was isolated from an open package of hot dogs. These hot dogs had been eaten by a patient 4 weeks before onset of listeriosis caused by the outbreak strain.

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A multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections with 46 culture-confirmed cases, seven deaths, and three stillbirths or miscarriages in eight states has been linked to eating sliceable turkey deli meat. Cases have been reported from Pennsylvania (14 cases), New York (11 in New York City and seven in other locations), New Jersey (five), Delaware (four), Maryland (two), Connecticut (one), Massachusetts (one), and Michigan (one). Culture dates ranged from July 18 to September 30, 2002; case-finding is ongoing. Outbreak isolates share a relatively uncommon pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern.

One intact food product and 25 environmental samples from a poultry processing plant have yielded L. monocytogenes. The isolate from the food product had a PFGE pattern different from the outbreak strain; however, two environmental isolates from floor drains shared a PFGE pattern indistinguishable from that of outbreak patient isolates, suggesting that the plant might be the source of the outbreak. The investigation to identify a definite source or sources for this outbreak is ongoing.

On the basis of these findings, the plant, operated by Pilgrim's Pride Foods and located in Franconia, Pennsylvania, recalled 27.4 million lbs. of fresh and frozen ready-to-eat turkey and chicken products on October 12, and the company voluntarily suspended operations. The products subject to this recall were produced during May 1--October 11. A list of recalled products is available at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/recalls/prelease/pr090-2002products.htm.

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Since May 2000, 29 illnesses caused by a strain of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) have been identified in 10 states: New York (15 cases); Georgia (three); Connecticut, Ohio, and Michigan (two each); and California, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin (one each). Dates of LM isolation ranged from May 17 through November 26 with 26 (90%) infections occurring since July 15. When subtyped, the LM isolates from these cases were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PulseNet pattern numbers GX6A16.0014 by Asc1 and GX6A12.0017 by Apa1) and ribotyping (DUP-1053). This report summarizes the investigation, which linked these cases of listeriosis to eating deli turkey meat.

Eight perinatal and 21 nonperinatal cases were reported. Among the 21 nonperinatal case-patients, the median age was 65 years (range: 29--92 years); 13 (62%) were female. The 29 cases have been associated with four deaths and three miscarriages/stillbirths.

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Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Update
Listeriosis and Pasteurized Milk

Listeria monocytogenes can be cultured from approximately 5% of raw (unpasteurized) milk samples, and case reports have shown that disease in humans can be caused by consumption of unpasteurized contaminated milk (1-4). Other reports suggesting that L. monocytogenes is relatively resistant to heat have raised concern about the effectiveness of pasteurization for eliminating this organism from milk (1,5). In an outbreak of listeriosis that occurred in Massachusetts in 1983, pasteurized whole or 2% milk was implicated as the source of infection (6). An inspection of the milk-producing plant detected no apparent breach in the pasteurization process, thereby prompting further interest in the effectiveness of pasteurization. Since then, several studies have shown that L. monocytogenes is inactivated by standard pasteurization practices (4,7-10). This report summarizes information regarding the effectiveness of pasteurization in eliminating L. monocytogenes from milk.

Current state and local regulations throughout the United States specify time and temperature conditions for pasteurization. These regulations call for milk to be heated to at least 71.7 C for 15 seconds (i.e., high-temperature short-time (HTST) process) or to 62.8 C for 30 minutes (11). In one study using milk artificially inoculated with L. monocytogenes, investigators found that 0.9 seconds at 71.7 C is needed for each one log10 reduction in the number of L. monocytogenes organisms (7). Other studies of artificially inoculated milk have concluded that at the same temperature, a period of 2.75 to 3.1 seconds is needed for each log10 reduction (4). Since the concentration of L. monocytogenes likely to be present in contaminated raw milk is estimated to be approximately 10 organisms per mL, these data suggest that there is a substantial margin of safety in the HTST pasteurization process (4). Another study found that at 62 C, each log10 reduction in the number of surviving L. monocytogenes organisms could be achieved in 6 to 20 seconds, well within the 30 minutes required for pasteurization at this temperature (8). Other investigators also have concluded that L. monocytogenes will not survive the normal milk pasteurization process (9) and have questioned previously reported methods that suggested L. monocytogenes could survive pasteurization (8,9).

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When you're expecting, it's natural to be concerned about your health and that of your unborn baby. Maintaining a healthful diet, drinking plenty of liquids, and taking prenatal vitamins are all important for the health of the expectant mother and her baby. Food safety is also very important. This information will help you make safe decisions when selecting and preparing food for yourself and/or your family.

Sometimes, what we eat can make us sick. Food contaminated by harmful bacteria can cause serious illness. One type of bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes ( pronounced lis-TIR-ee-ya mon-o-si-TAH-gin-eez) , can cause an illness called listeriosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) estimates that 2,500 people become seriously ill with listeriosis each year in the United States. Of these, one in five die from the disease. Listeriosis can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Foodborne illness caused by Listeria in pregnant women can result in premature delivery, miscarriage, fetal death, and severe illness or death of a newborn from the infection.

What is Listeria?
Listeria is a type of bacteria found everywhere in soil and ground water and on plants. Animals and people can carry Listeria in their bodies without becoming sick. Despite being so widespread, most infections in humans result from eating contaminated foods.

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Outbreak of Listeriosis Associated With Homemade Mexican-Style Cheese --- North Carolina, October 2000--January 2001

On November 13, 2000, health-care providers at a hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, contacted the local health department about three cases of listeriosis within a 2-week period in recent Mexican immigrants. The North Carolina General Communicable Disease Control Branch, in collaboration with the Forsyth County Health Department, the North Carolina Departments of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) and Environment and Natural Resources, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and CDC investigated this outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections. This report summarizes the results of the investigation, which implicated noncommercial, homemade, Mexican-style fresh soft cheese produced from contaminated raw milk sold by a local dairy farm as the causative agent. Culturally appropriate education efforts are important to reduce the risk for L. monocytogenes transmission through Mexican-style fresh soft cheese.

A case was defined as L. monocytogenes (isolated from a normally sterile site or with placental tissue staining positive using immunohistochemical techniques) in a mother of a stillborn or premature infant (<37 weeks' gestation), or a mother with a febrile illness, who was a Winston-Salem resident during October 24, 2000--January 1, 2001. Through active case finding, 12 cases were identified. On initial interview, most patients reported eating unlabeled Mexican-style fresh soft cheese bought at local markets or from door-to-door vendors. A case-control study was conducted to determine risk factors for illness; the questionnaire addressed symptoms, diet, and grocery-shopping histories during the month preceding illness. L. monocytogenes isolates from patients, raw milk, and cheese were tested using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Environmental inspections of homes, local markets, and dairy farms were conducted.

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