Foodborne Related Illnesses

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There has been an increase in out-breaks of foodborne related illnesses recently from a bacteria called listeria. The general guidelines for preventing illness due to listeria are similar to those for preventing other foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella. Persons at high risk for complications from listeria infection are pregnant women and immunocompromised persons.

The general recommendations are:

• Cook thoroughly raw food from animal sources (e.g. beef, pork, or poultry).
• Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.
• Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables, cooked foods and ready-to-eat foods.
• Avoid raw (unpasteurized) milk or foods made from raw milk.

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• Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after each handling of uncooked foods.
• Avoid soft cheeses including - feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined, and Mexican-style cheeses. Please note: hard cheeses, processed cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt need not be avoided.
• Cook leftover foods or ready-to-eat foods (e.g. hot dogs) until steaming hot.
• Avoid delicatessen counters and thoroughly heat cold cuts before eating.