New Listeria Brochure [ pdf ]
28 July 2004
New Advice on Listeria and Food
Updated advice on the food poisoning bacteria Listeria for pregnant women and their unborn or newborn babies, people whose immune systems cannot fight off infections and the elderly has been released today by Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Trish Worth.
‘Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has prepared this advice using the latest scientific information,” Ms Worth said.
‘While Listeria infection is uncommon and causes few or no symptoms in most people, it can be very dangerous for unborn or newborn babies, the immuno-compromised and the elderly,’ Ms Worth said.
‘The food industry, state and territory regulatory authority and FSANZ have extensive management processes in place to prevent Listeria contamination during food production. However, listeriosis is usually caused by people at risk eating food that has not been stored or handled properly once the food has been produced or cooked.
‘Listeria bacteria are found widely in nature and may be present in certain types of foods, such as pre-prepared uncooked foods or pre-cooked foods which have been kept for some time after they have cooled down .
‘If you or anyone in your household is in the higher risk group, it is important you reduce your risk by taking a few simple precautions. You can take precautions to avoid Listeria by eating only freshly prepared and well-washed food, following good food hygiene such as washing and drying hands, by cooking foods thoroughly and by refrigerating leftovers immediately and keeping them no more than a day.
‘This new brochure contains advice on safer alternatives for people at risk to eat in the meat, chicken, salads, seafood and dairy products food categories. It also lists some higher risk foods that people at risk should be wary of consuming especially if they are unsure about how the foods have been stored and handled. However, the higher risk foods become safe if you cook the food or reheat it to steaming hot throughout, and serve it hot.
“Remember that good nutrition is essential during pregnancy, for those with poor immune systems and the elderly so it is important to replace any food from the ‘avoid’ group with a similar one from the ‘safe’ group. For example you can replace soft cheese with packaged cottage cheese or cheddar or make your own salads fresh instead of buying them pre-prepared.”
More information can be found on the FSANZ website www.foodstandards.gov.au . Brochures can be obtained by emailing info@foodstandards.gov.au or calling (02) 6271 2241.
Media contact: Mark Williams, Trish Worth’s Office, 0401 147 558
Lydia Buchtmann, FSANZ, (02) 6271 2620 or 0401 714 265 mobile
TV Chiefs of staff please note a video news release will be issued from Sky Sydney at 10.30am Thursday 29 July 2004.