Keeping Tabs on Listeria

Listeria monocytogenes began to emerge 20 years ago as a problem in processed meats and poultry products, with a foodborne illness outbreak from hot dogs and delicatessen luncheon meats that resulted in 101 illnesses, 15 adult deaths, and 6 stillbirths or miscarriages associated with the outbreak.

By 1999, an especially virulent strain of L. monocytogenes emerged. Despite meaningful steps by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to require federal meat processing esta…