Food Safety News

Public health officials in an Australian state have warned people about a rise in Listeria infections.

New South Wales (NSW) Health is reminding people who are immunocompromised, pregnant, or aged over 65 years old to avoid foods that can cause listeriosis.

There are typically 20 to 30 cases of listeriosis reported each year in NSW.

At the end of May 2023, 17 listeriosis notifications had been recorded, which was above the five-year average of 10 cases for the same period. No common foods had been identified and whole genome sequencing has not detected any clustering.

Keira Glasgow, director of NSW Health’s One Health branch, said the advice follows a rise in reported cases and the number of people treated in hospitals for their illnesses.

“Already in 2023, we’ve recorded 25 cases of listeriosis among NSW residents, which is more than we usually expect to see in a whole year,” she said.

“There are a range of foods that present very real risks to people who are older, pregnant or have underlying health conditions such as cancer, diabetes, heart, liver, or kidney disease, or who are on medications such as corticosteroids which impact immune systems.”

People at increased risk of Listeria infections are advised to avoid certain foods, to take care not to contaminate fruit when cutting it and not to store cut fruit and vegetables that are eaten raw, as Listeria survives refrigeration.

Risky foods include cold delicatessen meats, smoked seafood, rockmelon (cantaloupe), pâté or meat spreads, unpasteurized milk products, sprouted seeds, soft cheeses and soft serve ice cream.