Listeria Outbreak Linked to Cotija and Other Cheeses, Yogurt, and ...

Although it’s uncommon to have a matching strain of bacteria that spans many years, as is the case with this recall, James E. Rogers, PhD, director of food safety testing and acting director of product testing at CR, says that listeria is a hearty pathogen and that once it gets into a facility, “it’s really tough to get rid of it.”

An FDA spokesperson told CR that listeria can easily spread from contaminated equipment or surfaces to food, and if the source of contamination is not identified, the and make people sick. 

For most people with listeriosis, the infection caused by listeria, although unpleasant, is likely to resolve on its own. The symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, can start as soon as just a few hours after consuming contaminated food or up to two weeks later.

But for 1 in 20 people, the infection can become more serious and turn into an invasive illness with flu-like symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and a stiff neck, according to the CDC. Other symptoms can include confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. The CDC estimates that 1,600 people get listeriosis each year and about 260 die.