The answer lies in the food distribution system in this country. Because most of the food we buy is grown in far-off fields, then collected and processed at large plants and shipped around the country, contamination in one crop from one field can contaminate food that is sold in many different states. And problems at one plant can be spread throughout the country, as we have seen.
Noted food safety attorney Fred Pritzker said, “Listeria bacteria thrive in cool, moist processing environments. Listeria organisms can also survive cold temperatures. They are capable of forming protective colonies in drains, cracks and crevices which makes this organism particularly difficult to destroy.”
These processing plants use a lot of water to clean and preserve produce. And when water collects in drains and areas around the plant and doesn’t dry out, that’s the perfect environment for Listeria growth. Cleaning systems must be extremely thorough and all parts of the plant must be cleaned often, using tested methods and cleaners.
FoodWorld 