If you aren’t Canadian, chances are you won’t be affected by the current recalls to hit the Canadian public but it is still important to take a few minutes to read through this since I will have a few tips on how to keep your family safe from Listeriosis. 

As you may know, Maple Leaf foods has had an outbreak of Listeria in one of their plants.  This has lead to several deaths, currently we are at 15, although many of the newspapers have different statistics.  Most Maple Leaf foods have been recalled and if you are Canadian and haven’t heard about the recalls or you aren’t sure exactly what is recalled, visit this link for a detailed list. 

Listeria, if you aren’t sure, is a naturally occurring bacteria that can be found in many foods and in all kinds of environments.  It is one of the few bacterias that can continue to grow in the fridge and it is an environmental bacteria that can be found in soil and in water.  The biggest problem with Listeria, is that it can cause a disease called Listeriosis, which can lead to death.  It is particularly dangerous to women who are pregnant, the elderly and people with weak immune systems. 

Despite this outbreak, it can be easy for people to become infected by listeria and it is important to maintain a clean house, especially kitchens to avoid any infections.  Below are a few tips that can help in keeping your risk to a minimum:

• Avoid cross contamination: I used to follow this simply because I hated having lettuce that tasted like tomatoes and tomatoes that tasted like onions but using different knives and cutting boards between not only vegetables but meats is very important, especially between meats.  If you don’t have multiple cutting boards, simply wash the cutting board with soap and water, thoroughly.
• Keep your kitchen clean: Wash counters and surfaces with a disinfectant spray or wipe.  A wash cloth doesn’t cut it and can actually spread more germs.  Also, wash your fridge on a regular basis since listeria can form in a dirty fridge.
• Don’t leave food out too long:  If you are having a party, keep a two hour limit on your table spread.  If it isn’t eaten or wrapped up in the fridge by the time limit, just chuck it.  Bacteria builds on food that is left out.
• Don’t defrost food on the counter:  I’m sure you have done it before, taken a steak out of the freezer, plunked it on the counter and left it on the counter and went off to work.  This is the perfect way for bacteria to grow.  The best way to defrost something is in the microwave or in the refrigerator.

Sirena Van Schaik

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Tags: Listeria, Listeriosis, Listeriosis Outbreak, Maple Leaf Foods Recall List, Maple Leaf Foods Recalls, protecting your family from listeria, protecting your family from listeriosis, Recall List, recalls

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