Recently there's been a lot in the news about food recalls due to listeria contamination, which has been sending some people into a panic. The largest recalls lately have been due to ice cream and hummus, and one has even been so severe that production at two plants has been halted until the contamination is under control. Therefore, although listeria poisoning can be a potentially harmful infection for some people, there are some things you can educate yourself with to help keep you and your family safe.
Listeria is a bacteria, which is most often found in the ground, and water that can be transported by animals. It's often found in processed meat facilities because it can survive for a long time, and can multiply in cold temperatures such as refrigeration. Often listeria can be found in unpasteurized milk and cheese, and even such fruits as cantaloupes.
The symptoms can range person to person, but usually cause fever, muscle aches, gastrointestinal upset, and sometimes death. Those who are usually most affected by listeria poisoning are the very young, elderly, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.
The FDA states that if in doubt, throw it out. In other words, if you think any of the recalled products may/may not be in your house, throw it out rather than risk becoming infected with listeria. To learn more about the recent listeria contaminations, please click here.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by one of the recent food recalls, the experienced St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Meyerkord & Kurth would like to help you. Please contact us today for a free consultation regarding your potential product liability case.