Food contaminated with Listeria bacteria can cause foodborne illness.
The bacteria are everywhere—in soil and water and on animals. Listeria bacteria are hard to kill and can grow at refrigerated temperatures.
Each year, 1,600 Americans become sick and 260 die from Listeria.
You’re more likely to get sick if you’re:

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Pregnant—Pregnant people are 10 times more likely to get sick from Listeria.
- 65 years or older.
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Immune-compromised—With a health condition like diabetes, heart disease, cancer or AIDS.
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Newborn.
Illness can vary from mild to deadly.
People can get sick within hours or several weeks after eating contaminated food.
People may have:
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Aches.
- Fever.
Pregnant women may have:
- Flu-like symptoms.
- Premature delivery.
- Miscarriage.
Older and immune-compromised people may have:
- Headache and stiff neck.
- Confusion.
- Reduced alertness.
- Blood infection.
- Meningitis.
Some foods are more likely to have Listeria :
- Deli meat.
- Hot dogs.
- Soft cheese, like queso fresco and bleu cheese.
- Smoked fish.
- Dairy, like milk and ice cream.
- Salads.
- Deli salads.
- Raw sprouts.
If you are pregnant, older, immune-compromised or newborn, avoid eating these foods.
Prevent Listeria.
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Wash raw produce—Don’t forget to wash produce like melons and avocados. Even though you don’t eat the peel, your knife can carry germs from the outside into the part you eat.
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Check your refrigerator—Make sure it is 41°F or below.
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Use or discard refrigerated food within 7 days—Throw out or freeze deli meat, hot dogs, salad, smoked seafood, soft cheese, and cooked food, as soon as possible.
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Clean kitchen surfaces—Take extra care with appliances like blenders and food processors.
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Fully cook raw meat and seafood—Cooking kills Listeria. Keep raw meat and seafood separate from cooked food and produce.
Do you have a foodborne illness?
Let the Health Department know. Report at tpchd.org/report or call (253) 649-1696. Don’t prepare food for others until your symptoms are gone for 48 hours.
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