Everything You Need to Know About the Listeria Outbreak
Breaking down the recent gluten-free product recalls
It seems as if almost every day, another food item is recalled for possibly containing Listeria (a potentially deadly bacteria). From deli meat to frozen waffles, many items that have been recalled over the past few weeks and months are gluten-free.
As reported by USA Today, the most extreme Listeria outbreak is linked to Boar’s Head deli meat that came from one of the company’s plants in Virginia. As of now, there are 59 hospitalizations in 19 states and 10 deaths connected to this listeria outbreak, reports CNN.
Alarmingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that the number of cases is probably higher since it can take up to 10 weeks for people to start experiencing symptoms of listeriosis, or Listeria infection.
So, what can you do to keep yourself safe as a gluten-free consumer? I chatted with two dietitians to break down everything you need to know about the Listeria hysteria.
What is Listeria?
“Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause a serious foodborne illness known as listeriosis,” explains Kristen Lorenz, RD, owner of Kristen Lorenz Nutrition. “It’s often found in contaminated foods like soft cheeses, deli meats, and unpasteurized products.”
According to the CDC, Listeria can spread in processing facilities, where it’s hard to get rid of completely. “Listeria’s ability to grow in cold temperatures—even in a refrigerator—is particularly concerning,” adds Lorenz.
Who’s most at risk for Listeria infection?
According to the CDC, about 1,600 people are infected with Listeria each year, with approximately 260 people dying from Listeria infection annually.
“Some people are more at risk than others, including those who are pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised,” says Stephanie Dillingham, RDN, owner of Three Square Nutrition. Newborns are also at higher risk for Listeria infection, adds Lorenz.
What are the symptoms of listeriosis?
As Marwan Azar, MD, a Yale Medicine infectious diseases expert, explains in a recently published article on Yale Medicine’s website, not everyone who eats listeria-contaminated food will actually get sick. (Phew.)
If you do get sick, symptoms will likely show up a week or two later—but this really varies. Some people will have symptoms a few days later, while others may not experience symptoms until three months later.
“Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of listeria exposure include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, but it’s important to know that symptoms can vary,” says Lorenz. “Some people may have mild symptoms or none at all, while others may develop fever, muscle aches, or more severe complications which could, potentially, result in death.”
If you think you’ve eaten contaminated food, you should still visit your doctor regardless of whether or not you have any symptoms. As Azar from Yale Medicine shares, your doctor can make sure you don’t have an infection in your bloodstream, which could lead to a central nervous system infection such as meningitis or encephalitis. Both of these infections can lead to serious complications or death if not treated immediately.
What gluten-free items were recalled for possible Listeria contamination?
As you now know, many Boar’s Head products (which are gluten-free) were recalled over the past few months. You can see the full list of recalled deli meats here.
Other gluten-free items have been recalled recently for potential listeria contamination as well, reports the National Celiac Association. Specifically, gluten-free products containing ready-to-eat chicken have been recalled.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), some of the gluten-free chicken products on the recall list include:
Udi’s Gluten-Free Chicken Alfredo Meal
Bell & Evans Fully Cooked Boneless, Skinless Diced Chicken Breast—retail and bulk packages
Simple Kitchen Freeze-Dried Diced Cooked Chicken
EVOL Teriyaki Chicken
EVOL Chicken Enchilada Bake
A ton of frozen waffles—including many gluten-free ones—were also recalled. According to Health, the gluten-free waffles that were recalled include:
Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Toaster Waffles
Good & Gather Gluten-Free Homestyle Waffles
Wegmans Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles
Wegmans Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles
Simple Truth Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles
Simple Truth Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles
Nature’s Promise Organic Gluten-Free Homestyle Waffles
Giant Eagle Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles
Giant Eagle Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles
H-E-B Higher Harvest Gluten Free Blueberry Buckwheat Waffles
What should you do if you have any of the recalled items?
If you still have any of the products that were recalled in your fridge or freezer, you should throw them away immediately, says Dillingham. You should also clean your refrigerator and any other surfaces and items the food came into contact with, she says.
“A deep clean of your refrigerator, freezer, and any surfaces where these products may have contacted can help prevent cross-contamination and is a worthwhile task for listeriosis prevention,” explains Lorenz. “When cleaning, use a bleach solution or a disinfectant specifically formulated for kitchen use since Listeria can even survive in refrigerated environments.”
You should also wipe down shelves, drawers, and handles thoroughly to reduce risk, adds Lorenz. Dillingham points to the CDC’s guide on how to clean your refrigerator because of a food recall for further advice.
What can you do to prevent Listeria?
As for general food safety practices that can help you prevent Listeria, here’s what Lorenz and Dillingham suggest:
Keep your fridge cold. “Minimizing the risk of listeria infection starts with proper refrigeration by keeping your fridge at or below 40°F,” says Lorenz.
Thoroughly heat food. “Heating food above 165°F until hot kills Listeria, so properly cooking foods is important,” says Dillingham.
Handle raw food wisely. “Avoid cross-contamination by storing raw foods separately from ready-to-eat items, and always clean surfaces and utensils after handling raw foods,” says Lorenz.
Follow expiration dates. And when in doubt, throw it out, says Lorenz. As she notes, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Be particularly careful if you’re in one of the at-risk groups. “For at-risk groups, it's best to avoid unpasteurized dairy, soft cheese from raw milk, and deli meats unless they're thoroughly cooked or reheated to a steaming temperature (at least 165°F),” says Lorenz.
Stay up-to-date on product recalls. “Pay attention to recall notices that may be on the bottom of a receipt from a grocery store or may be provided via a phone call from your grocer,” says Dillingham.
What are some gluten-free swaps for deli meat?
It’s understandable if you’re not too keen on eating deli meat any time soon (I know I’m not). Luckily, there are many gluten-free alternatives you can use in place of typical cold cuts.
“For those concerned about Listeria, consider swapping deli meats with alternative proteins like rotisserie chicken, roasted turkey, or canned fish such as tuna or salmon,” says Lorenz. “These options are typically safer since they undergo cooking or sterilization processes.”
You could also make fresh, protein-rich options at home, like egg, chickpea, or tuna salad, suggests Lorenz. “These can be kept in the fridge for a few days while retaining food safety,” she says.
And remember: “Listeria cannot withstand cooking, so simply heating deli meat above 165°F until hot kills the bacteria,” adds Dillingham.
What are some gluten-free swaps for frozen waffles?
“In place of frozen waffles, consider buying yourself a waffle maker and making your own,” says Dillingham. You could also make pancakes or French toast, she says.
“If you want premade items, you could try gluten-free toaster pastries from Katz, gluten-free croissants from Schar, or go check out a local gluten-free bakery to support,” adds Dillingham.
Other gluten-free breakfast alternatives include overnight gluten-free oats, chia seed pudding, or gluten-free toast or rice cakes topped with nut butter and fruit, says Lorenz.
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What are your thoughts on the recent gluten-free product recalls? Do you have any favorite swaps for the recalled items? Drop a comment and let me know!
Thanks for this explanation! Such a widespread recall! We don’t eat deli meat often but if we do it’s usually the prepackaged boars head since they label gluten free and it’s not on a shared slicer! Guess it’s grilled cheese and PBJs for now!!