Listeria ice cream alert: Everything you need to know

READ MORE: Full list of ice cream brands recalled amid fears of listeria outbreak

Dozens 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.

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 nasty bug, which can kill, usually causes a fever, sickness and diarrhoea.

So just how worried should you be, who is most at risk, 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 'the listeria bacteria'.

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.

L. monocytogenes is widespread in the environment and can be found in raw food and soil, and in the droppings of many mammals, birds, and fish.

Infection is usually diagnosed when a laboratory test detects the bacteria in body tissues or fluid, such as blood, spinal fluid, or the placenta.

How deadly is it?

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 people 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?

For most people, listeria poisoning can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills and feeling or being sick.

Usually symptoms recede after a few days.

However, some vulnerable groups — the elderly, pregnant women and babies — can develop life-threatening complications, such as sepsis and meningitis.

According to the FDA, pregnant women are around 10 times more likely than the general population to get a listeria infection.

Treatment depends on the kind and severity of a person’s illness.

Most listeria infections are treated with antibiotics. People with diarrhea 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.