More federal guidelines about dealing with Listeria at the retail level would be a positive step, but I think this issue just underscores the larger problems we have all been hearing about:  We have a fragmented food safety regulatory system that is terribly underfunded and understaffed.

The persistent and difficult problem of Listeria at the retail deli counter is all the more reason that consumers need know how to protect themselves from this dangerous pathogen.  One thing to do is eat lunch meats and other precooked foods purchased at the deli counter right away.  Unlike most other pathogens, Listeria can actually grow in the refrigerator, so consumers should not store deli foods in their refrigerator for too long.  It’s also important to check the refrigerator’s inside temperature with a thermometer, and to set the thermostat so the temperature remains at 40 degrees F. or lower. Pregnant women and other high-risk people might want to avoid the deli counter all together.  If not, they should heat deli meats until steaming hot before eating.  Another thing to keep in mind:  Although raw milk is becoming popular among some consumers, it can definitely harbor Listeria and is a risky food for everyone, but especially during pregnancy.

This entry was posted on Sunday, July 6th, 2008 at 10:00 am and is filed under Politics .