Listeria is a bacterial infection, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn children. A news article on MyFox8.com describes how a North Carolina pregnant woman, who battled this disease and almost lost both her life and that of her baby, is now lobbying for stronger governmental food safety regulations. The mother contracted Listeria from cheese and delivered her daughter... [more]

On January 27, 2010, the FDA issued a public warning letter to Kellogg regarding a manufacturing plant in Atlanta that tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes during 2010. Apparently, the initial investigation of the plant began in August of 2009 when the Georgia Department of Agriculture identified Listeria in samples taken from Eggo Buttermilk Waffles.  Then, in October 2009, the FDA conducted... [more]

A press release from Giant Eagle announced a recall of Giant Eagle and Food Club frozen loose hash browns due to possible Listeria contamination.  Below is this Gaint Eagle’s press release.     The independent and unrelated manufacturer of Giant Eagle and Food Club frozen loose hash browns has been informed of the presence of a bacterium in products made in the same facility as these items. Upon... [more]

Yesterday, the FDA named Michael R. Taylor as the new Deputy Commissioner for Foods. This is a newly created position within the brand new “Office of Foods”.  Mr. Taylor will be responsible for overseeing the FDA’s various food and nutrition programs. No doubt qualified for this position, Taylor is a nationally recognized food safety expert, author, lawyer and professor who has held various... [more]

 Parkers Farm, Inc. of Coon Rapids, Minnesota is recalling products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infection in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache,... [more]

HP Hood is recalling select Heluva Good branded 8 oz. plastic cup containers of Cold Pack Cheese Food because they may contain 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. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache,... [more]

The FDA has been pretty busy the past few weeks. The regulatory agency recently filed a lawsuit to prevent, a New Jersey cheese manufacturer from making food ever again. The permanent injunction came in response to continued cleanliness issues and repeated positive tests for Listeria. Shortly after the announcement of the injunction against the cheese maker, a Denver catering company was almost shut... [more]

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium found in soil and water. On occasion, vegetables become contaminated from infested soil or from manure used as plant fertilizer. Many animals can carry the bacterium without appearing ill. During processing, these infected animals can contaminate meats and dairy products. Listeria has been found in a variety of raw foods, as well as in processed foods that become... [more]

LSG Sky Chefs, a catering company that prepares food for major airlines, says a warning by the FDA was serious enough to overhaul its Denver facility after FDA inspectors found large numbers of living as well as dead roaches and also found the presence of the deadly Listeria bacteria.    The FDA warned LSG Sky Chefs that the company it could be barred from selling food to the airlines at the Denver... [more]

The risk of an individual person developing listeriosis, a Listeria infection, after consumption of a Listeria contaminated product is very small. According to the CDC, if you have eaten a contaminated product and do not have any symptoms, it is not recommend that you seek any tests or treatment, even if you are in a high-risk group. However, if you are in a high-risk group, have eaten the contaminated... [more]