Listeria Contaminations Surge in Food Products: What’s Behind the Spike?
In 2024, the U.S. has seen a significant rise in food recalls due to Listeria contamination, affecting everything from ice cream to deli meats.
This year alone, millions of pounds of meat products have been recalled, including nearly 10 million pounds from BrucePac, a major producer of precooked meats sold at retailers like Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s.
The most fatal outbreak, linked to a Boar’s Head deli meat plant in Virginia, has already resulted in 10 deaths. Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium at the center of these recalls, poses serious risks, particularly to children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Even among healthy people, listeriosis can cause fever, headaches, nausea, and in severe cases, stillbirths among pregnant women.
According to Dr. Darin Detwiler, a food safety advisor and professor at Northeastern University, the surge in recalls can be attributed to a “perfect storm” of factors. These include advancements in detection technology, gaps in regulatory oversight, and shifts in consumer habits.
Detwiler explains, “What we’re seeing is likely a perfect storm of factors: regulatory transitions, pandemic-related inspection gaps, increased detection capabilities, and economic pressures.”
Improved Detection Technology
The rise in Listeria-related recalls may partly reflect better testing methods. Whole genome sequencing, now commonly used in food safety, allows for more accurate tracking of contamination.
“These advanced methods can trace contamination more effectively, leading to quicker recalls,” says Detwiler. This improved detection can give the impression of more frequent contamination, though it might simply be uncovering issues that went unnoticed before.
Increased Reliance on Ready-to-Eat Foods
Consumer preferences also play a role. With more people opting for ready-to-eat products like deli meats and precooked meals, the risks for contamination grow.
Unlike other bacteria, Listeria can thrive in cold environments, which is why refrigerated products are particularly vulnerable. “Most of these products have a long shelf life, giving Listeria more time to grow,” Detwiler points out.
Inspection Gaps and Food Safety Challenges
Another concern is gaps in food safety inspections, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and regulatory transitions.
The FDA recently underwent a major reorganization, creating potential oversight gaps. Boar’s Head’s Virginia plant, responsible for one of the deadliest outbreaks, faced multiple violations, including mold and unsanitary conditions.
Detwiler notes, “These transitional phases can create temporary gaps in oversight or slower response times to emerging food safety risks.”
As the food industry navigates these challenges, the importance of stringent sanitation and better oversight cannot be overstated. Despite the complexities, addressing these issues head-on is essential to restoring consumer confidence and ensuring food safety.
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