Safe eating in the time of listeriosis


You might have seen articles about South Africa’s listeriosis outbreak. . If you are healthy and have a good immune system, you could have such a light case that you don’t even know you have it. Listeriosis can be serious for babies, children, the elderly; basically anyone who is more likely to become ill. Also be careful if you’re pregnant – the infection can pass from the mother to her unborn baby or newborn baby. Luckily, you can prevent listeriosis by being careful when you handle food.

Listeriosis explained

Bacteria causes listeriosis and it can be treated with antibiotics. Unlike typhoid, it is not spread by human waste. Listeriosis is found in soil and water and can contaminate fruit, vegetables and meat. It’s different from other food bacteria since it can survive in refrigerated food. However, cooking kills the bacteria that causes listeriosis.

Be careful of unpasteurised milk, soft cheeses, and cold meats like salami and viennas.

The early symptoms are similar to that of stomach bugs so fever, body pain, feeling tired and sometimes nausea as well as a runny stomach. If you have a weak immune system or have a chronic condition like heart disease, HIV, or diabetes, the infection could spread to your brain (meningitis) or into your blood (septicaemia). See your doctor if you have flu symptoms and confusion, stiff neck, have difficulty breathing or a fast heart rate.

Follow the five keys to safer food

  1. Keep clean: Wash your hands before handing food and after handling raw meat. Wash fruit and vegetables before eating them.
  2. Keep raw and cooked food apart: Separate raw meat, poultry and seafood from other foods. Keep your cooked food in the top of the refrigerator and the raw food in the bottom to prevent cross-contamination.
  3. Cook thoroughly: Cook food thoroughly, especially meat, poultry, eggs and seafood. Cook food at at least 70 °C .
  4. Keep food at safe temperatures: Do not keep leftovers in the fridge for more than three days and only reheat it once. When you reheat food, make sure it’s hot throughout.
  5. Use safe water and raw materials: Buy pasteurised milk products and wash fruit and vegetables carefully before eating. Don’t eat food after the sell-by date.

Safe eating and good health is for everyone. You can protect yourself from most food-borne disease, no matter what bug is doing the rounds.

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