US Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have announced a new action plan aimed at helping at-risk individuals reduce their risk of listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can lurk in uncooked food and on unclean surfaces and cause listeriosis.

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Listeriosis, the disease caused by listeria, primarily effects pregnant women,the elderly, very young children and people with weakened immune systems.


The disease can be life threatening for the above groups. Symptoms include fever, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea and chills. Individuals may also experience confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions if the disease reaches the nervous system.


“The Listeria risk assessment and action plan are steps to help protect these individuals,” said Donna Shalalam, secretary of Health and Human Services.


Advice given to at-risk consumers of food include to reduce their risk of contracting the potentially deadly food borne illness includes avoiding unpasteurized foods, cooking food to temperatures high enough to kill the bacteria and cleaning kitchen counters and cutting boards thoroughly.

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The agencies have earmarked foods such as soft cheeses, pate, meat spreads and smoked seafood as increasing as a risk of being contaminated with listeria, but have also listed aged cheeses, ice cream, frozen dairy products and vegetables and fruits as less likely to be contaminated.


The government advised consumers to use a refrigerator thermometer to ensure that temperatures remain below 40 degrees Fahrenheit to slow the growth of all bacteria, and cooking foods to recommended temperatures.