What is Listeria?
The bacterium called Listeria monocytogenes, often found in soil, vegetation, animal feed and feces, can cause the disease listeriosis in humans who eat food contaminated with it.
Where is it found?
In vegetables contaminated by soil or manure used as fertilizer; infected animals can contaminate meat; unpasteurized milk may contain listeria, and certain processed foods like soft cheeses, deli meats and hot dogs can become contaminated after processing.
What happens if you eat it?
nausea
vomiting
cramps
diarrhea
headache
constipation
persistent fever
If it spreads to the nervous system, signs and symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions. In newborn babies who have been infected, signs include loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice, vomiting, skin rash, breathing difficulty.
When do symptoms appear?
Symptoms usually appear within two to 30 days, and up to 90 days after consuming contaminated food, according to Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Average incubation period is three weeks, says Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
The federal agency said the affected cheese is sold in 340-gram packages bearing UPC 0 650525 7 and a best-before date of March 1, 2011.
It was manufactured by Silani Sweet Cheese Ltd. of Schomberg, Ont., and distributed in Ontario and Quebec. The company is voluntarily recalling the product.
Foods contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled, so please, don't cut the cheese.
