Listeria: Deadly Foodborne Bacteria Could be Hiding from Sanitizers Sprayed by Food Suppliers [Study]

A foodborne bacteria called listeria could be hiding from sanitizers sprayed by food suppliers during routine sanitary protocols, according to a new study led by researchers in the United States. This bacterium is responsible for causing the potentially deadly disease called listeriosis. The listeria bacteria can spread from the intestines to spread and infect other parts of the body.

Bacteria Hides from Sanitizers

In the study published in the journal Biofilm, scientists have warned that our efforts to protect ourselves from foodborne diseases could be in vain after discovering that the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes may survive and persist in food-processing environments. Listeria has been suspected to be hiding from sanitizers sprayed on raw food to keep them clean.

Researchers attribute the resistance of the foodborne bacteria during routine sanitary measures to the formation of complex "multi-species biofilms." These consist of environmental microbiota that simultaneously exist in these types of settings, particularly in a fruit-packaging environment, where the bacteria join forces and form a protective shield.

Listeriosis Symptoms and Treatment

According to Mayo Clinic, below are listeriosis symptoms or the common signs of a listeria infection:

• Fever
• Chills
• Muscles
• Aches
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

These symptoms may start a few days after a person consumes contaminated food, but it can take up to 30 days or more before the first indications of the infection begin. Mayo Clinic says if the listeriosis infection spreads to the nervous system, it can include additional symptoms:

• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion or changes in alertness
• Loss of balance
• Convulsion

The foodborne bacteria can also cause only mild signs and symptoms in pregnant mothers. However, there is a high chance of severe symptoms for the baby, who can die either in the womb or have a life-threatening infection within a few days after being born.

There is no clinical-approved vaccine for listeriosis but it can be avoided and treated. Health authorities do not always require treatment for listeria infection, especially patients with mild symptoms. Yet, serious listeriosis infection can be treated using antibiotics, which is commonly used in bacterial infections.

Listeriosis Cases

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that listeriosis cases involve around 1,600 infected people each year and 260 of these individuals die from the foodborne bacteria. Listeria infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, as well as adults aged at least 65 years old and people with weakened immune systems.

In the United States, the CDC reported previous "multistate outbreaks" in recent years involving listeria with the center leading the investigations of some of the following contaminated food below, in an event known as a foodborne disease outbreak:

• Ice cream, leafy greens, peaches, nectarines, and plums (2023)
• Enoki mushrooms, deli meat, and cheese, brie, and camembert cheese, ice cream (2022)
• Dole packaged salads, fresh express packaged salads, fully cooked chicken, and queso fresco (2021)
• Deli meats and enoki mushrooms (2020)