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Listeria ice cream alert: Everything you need to know
Thousands of ice creams have been urgently recalled from US supermarket shelves over fears they could be contaminated with listeria.
Food safety watchdogs have stuck a 'do not eat' alert on more than 70 products manufactured by Totally Cool Inc.
It is feared the treats — including Friendly's ice cream cakes, Hershey's ice cream cones and Jeni's sandwiches — may contain the bacteria.
The bug can cause a potential fatal type of food poisoning, with pregnant women among the most at risk, which is why health chiefs take any indication of an outbreak extremely seriously.
So just how worried should you be and what should you do if you think you've eaten a contaminated product?
Here MailOnline explains everything you need to know.
What is listeriosis?
Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, or L. monocytogenes for short.
The NHS simply refers to it as 'listeria bacteria'.
It can be found in moist environments, soil, water, decaying vegetation and animals, and can survive refrigeration and other food preservation measures.
Many foods can harbour the bug, but it is usually found in unpasteurised milk, soft cheeses and ready-to-eat foods, such as prepacked sandwiches.
Cooked shellfish, cured meats and fish including sushi and pre-cut fruit are also a risk.
Infection is usually diagnosed when a laboratory test detects the bacteria in body tissues or fluid, such as blood, spinal fluid, or the placenta.
Why is it such a worry?
Listeria poses a particular threat to the elderly, pregnant women and babies.
In 2022, 167 cases of listeriosis were reported to national surveillance in England and Wales (Figure 1), representing a 6.4 per cent increase in reported cases compared to the previous five year avererage.
Meanwhile in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate around 1,600 Americans get listeriosis each year.
But experts have long warned this could be an underestimate as many healthy adults may not seek help for symptoms.
Listeriosis, the infection caused by listeria, can trigger severe illness, hospitalisation and, in severe cases, death among those most at risk.
Pregnant women are at risk of suffering a miscarriage and severe sepsis, while their newborn baby can contract meningitis.
NHS officials already tell pregnant women to avoid cold-smoked salmon and cured fish products, along with uncooked soft cheeses, unpasteurised dairy products and any undercooked food.
Earlier this year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded a 'multi-year, multi-state' investigation of Listeria investigations in two other dairy products—queso fresco and cotija cheeses— manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods in California.
The outbreak produced 26 cases of Listeria across 11 states, leading to 23 hospitalizations and two deaths.
What symptoms should I watch out for?
People infected with L. monocytogenes may start to see symptoms in a few hours or as long as two to three days after eating contaminated food.
For most people, listeria poisoning can be similar to flu and symptoms include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills and feeling or being sick.
Usually these recede after a few days.
More severe forms of listeriosis may take anywhere from three days to three months to develop, according to the CDC.
Delayed onset of symptoms is particularly seen in pregnant women.
Confusingly they might suffer mild symptoms themselves but be at high risk of miscarriage, due to the infection.
According to the FDA, pregnant women are around 10 times more likely than the general population to get a listeria infection, and this is why women who are expecting are told to avoid foods such as soft cheese and shellfish.
Babies, the elderly and those with diseases that compromise the immune system are also vulnerable to life-threatening complications from listeria food poisoning, such as sepsis and meningitis.
Symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Treatment depends on the kind and severity of a person’s illness.
Most listeria infections are treated with antibiotics. People with diarrhoea should drink plenty of fluids.
What should I do if I've eaten a contaminated product?
To date, there have been no reported illnesses linked to the consumption of any of the products.
Consumers who have purchased any of the products are asked not to consume them.
Instead, customers should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund or throw them away.
Customers with questions or concerns about the recall can contact Totally Cool Inc.'s customer service hotline
How can you avoid listeriosis?
Food safety chiefs have long advised you should wash your hands before, during and after handling food.
Wash utensils, cutting boards, and any surfaces that food touches after each use.
You should also store ready-to-eat foods as recommended by the manufacturer.
According to the FDA, appliance thermometers will allow you to check your refrigerator is at or below 4ºC (40ºF) and your freezer is 0ºC (0ºF) or below.
Between 4ºC and 60ºC (140ºF) is considered the danger zone — when bacteria can multiply rapidly.
Generally, the more bacteria, the more likely someone will get sick.
Most refrigerators have just a colder or warmer adjustment, so the only way to know is to put a thermometer inside.
Read more- https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/listeria-ice-cream-alert-everything-you-need-to-know/ar-BB1oYZOV?ocid=00000000
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