Pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems and underlying conditions are most at risk from listeria
As three people die after eating desserts while in hospital due to an outbreak of listeria, we take a look at the foods most likely to put you at risk.
Although the identities of those who died as a result of the outbreak have not yet been disclosed it has been confirmed they they were aged between 68 and 89. Older people have an increased risk compared with the general population, and this risk increases with age . Those who are pregnant and their unborn babies are also at risk as listeriosis infection can cause stillbirth or miscarriage, or sepsis or meningitis in newborns.
The other category of people most at risk is those with weakened immune systems, including people with underlying conditions such as cancer, diabetes, liver and kidney disease, or
According to the Food Standards Agency, the best way to reduce the risk of listeriosis, is to follow the following rules:
- keep foods cold until you are ready to eat them – make sure your fridge temperature is set at 5°C or below.
- refrigerate foods as soon as possible after purchase
- eat ready-to-eat foods within four hours of removing them from the fridge
- always eat, cook or freeze foods by their use-by date
- always follow the storage instructions, including those for opened foods, provided on the label
- keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate to avoid cross-contamination
- follow the cooking instructions on packaging when applicable, and cook or reheat foods (including frozen vegetables) until they are steaming hot right through
- wash your hands regularly with soap and water before, during and after meal preparation
The foods that should be avoided if you are in the most at risk categories are:
- cold pre-cooked meats – such as chicken
- deli meats – such as salami and cold cuts
- smoked and cured fish – including sushi
- cooked shellfish
- soft mould-ripened cheeses – such as camembert, brie, and blue-veined cheeses
- pâté
- unpasteurised milk, or products made from unpasteurised milk
- pre-prepared sandwiches and salads
- pre-cut fruits (for example, pre-packed melon slices)
Officials believe the source of the outbreak came from Cool Light Deserts’ chocolate mousses and ice creams. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Food Standards Agency (FSA) have launched a joint investigation into five recent cases of Listeria monocytogenes. Patients were identified from May to December 2024 with two in Yorkshire and Humber and one each in the North West, West Midlands and Wales.