- Posisble listeria contamination causes product recalls: now it is ice cream
- Fighting this heat wave might be dangerous: more than 60 ice cream products recalled
- No illnesses were reported, but the recall might save multiple lives
Posisble listeria contamination causes product recalls: now it is ice cream
People need to check their freezers now because multiple brands of ice cream are being recalled due to worries over listeria contamination. The US has some issues with its food regulations and possible bacteria problems in products already placed on grocery store shelves.
We often hear about particular recalls of food products that have already been placed on the shelves for people to consume. This can scare people, and even consuming fish, meat, or dairy products becomes an anxious activity of the possible contamination. These were the issues with salmonella and not listeria outbreaks on peoples' minds.
Previously, salmon products sold at Kroger and Pay Less stores in 15 states were recalled due to the presence of bacteria that can cause listeria. Foppen Seafood officials were recalling its 8.1-ounce packages of toast-sized Smoked Norwegian Salmon Slices with lot number 412[1].
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, this recall occurred because routine tests found Listeria monocytogenes in the salmon, which can cause a serious illness called Listeria. The salmon was sold at Kroger and Pay Less stores in these states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.
Now, the issue is with ice cream. Totally Cool Inc. is recalling various brands of ice cream because of possible listeria contamination. The full list of brands and products being recalled is available online. It includes ice cream from Friendly's, Abylin's Frozen, some Hershey's ice cream, Yelloh!, Jeni's, Cumberland Farms, The Frozen Farmer, Marco, ChipWich, AMAFruits, Taharka, Dolcezza Gelato, and Lasalle products[2].
Fighting this heat wave might be dangerous: more than 60 ice cream products recalled
This is summer, the particular time when we consume extra amounts of ice cream to cool off. The heat wave and the warmer summer months only increase these sales. However, recalling products already in grocery stores and people's refrigerators can create issues and panic. People are noted and warned to check their products in freezers and pay attention to details.
Totally Cool Inc., from Owings Mills, Maryland, is recalling its ice cream because it might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. According to a post on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website, this bacteria can cause serious infections, especially in young children, the elderly, and people with weak immune systems.
No illnesses have been reported so far, but Totally Cool Inc. has stopped making and distributing the affected ice creams after FDA tests found Listeria. Listeria monocytogenes is a major cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., says the CDC. Pregnant women are 10 times more likely to get a Listeria infection, which can lead to fetal loss in 20% of cases and newborn death in 3% of cases[3].
Seniors aged 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk. About 87% of non-pregnancy-related cases need hospitalization, and about 1 in 6 patients die. Common symptoms of Listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. Symptoms usually start within two weeks of eating contaminated food but can appear as soon as the same day or as late as 10 weeks later.
No illnesses were reported, but the recall might save multiple lives
These recalls might create worries among customers because exposure to various bacteria might end differently depending on health, age, and immune system. Listeria monocytogens cause the listeriosis infection that affects around 1600 people yearly. Unfortunately, at least 260 patients die from it each year.
This condition can trigger different symptoms, from diarrhea to mild flu-like symptoms. In more severe cases, the illness can lead to seizures, stiff neck, or even death. The worst is for people like the elderly, those older than 65, pregnant women, and those with compromised immunity. Such patients can develop more symptoms, or their bodies might become stronger than any other person.
Listeria is an illness caused by bacteria found in contaminated foods. People who eat such foods can become infected with the bacteria, and the infection can occur quickly. Listeria is one of the more dangerous foodborne illnesses, and it has the highest rate of severe cases.
The infection can develop in a week after consuming the contaminated product. If you have eaten any of the recalled products and noticed symptoms of the infection, you must contact a healthcare provider. Experts note that infection caused by this bacteria requires prompt medical evaluation.
