Diabetes and Listeria Monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne bacterium, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) warns that people with diabetes are at a higher risk for illness.

From late 1998 to early 1999, there was a nationwide outbreak of listeriosis from ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. Each year in the United States, an estimated 2,500 persons become seriously ill. Of this number 500 die.

Persons having diabetes run a higher than normal risk for illness associated with L. monocytogenes than most everyone else. Pregnant women, newborns, older adults and persons with weakened immune systems, such as those with cancer, AIDS, and kidney disease.

The USDA offers some precautionary measures for those individuals who are at risk.

• Reheat until steaming hot ready-to-eat meats such as hot dogs, luncheon meats, deli meats, cold cuts, and fermented and dry sausages.
• Wash hands with hot, soapy water (wash for at least 20 seconds) after handling the above types of foods. Also wash cutting boards, dishes, and utensils.
• Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, blue-veined varieties, or Mexican-style cheese. Those at risk do not have to worry about hard cheeses, processed cheeses, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt.
• Do not drink raw, unpasteurized milk or eat foods made from it, such as unpasteurized cheese.
• Note the expiration dates of perishable items that are pre-cooked or ready-to-eat.