There are some essential tasks that humans undergo from month to month. One of them is grocery shopping.
Grocery shopping is essential for several reasons. It provides sustenance. It's the primary way to acquire fresh and processed food for nourishment. Diet control. Grocery shopping allows you to choose what you eat, promoting healthier choices over relying solely on restaurants or processed foods. Make the cheaper, cost effective choice. Buying groceries is often cheaper than eating out regularly. Having groceries at home means you can eat whenever you're hungry without needing to leave your residence. Cooking at home is a hobby. Cooking is a way to bond with loved ones. Indeed, grocery shopping is an essential task.
Almost every time you go shopping, you've walked passed the meat section. The deli. Sandwich shop. The big, bad, boss, bologna bucket.
Well, in early August 2024, the essential grocery shopper noticed that the ever present Board's Head section was empty.
HEADLINES:
Boar’s Head faces 2nd lawsuit over 7M pound deli meat recall linked to listeria outbreak (nj.com)
See the full list of every Boar’s Head product recalled over listeria concerns (syracuse.com)
Supermarkets advised to yank Boar’s Head signs amid deadly listeria outbreak (nypost.com)
ETC...
The initial outbreak was pointing at the Boar's Head Liverwurst.
Boar’s Head Brand was established in the New York City area in 1905. Dissatisfied with the quality of hams available, their founder Frank Brunckhorst set out to craft products of uncompromising standards by using only the finest ingredients.
Boar's Head is a privately held company. This means it is not publicly traded on a stock exchange. Companies that are publicly traded have ticker symbols, which are used to identify their stocks on exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) or Nasdaq. Since Boar's Head is not publicly traded, it does not have a ticker symbol.
"Meat consumption in the United States has nearly doubled in the last century. Americans are now among the top per capita meat consumers in the world; the average American eats more than three times the global average. A growing body of evidence suggests Americans’ taste for meat and animal products is putting them at greater risk for a range of health problems." (clf.jhsph.edu)
Currently, the Boar's Head company is located in Sarasota, Florida. It moved its headquarters there in 2001 from Brooklyn, New York. The primary reason for the move was due to the company's strong partnership with the Publix supermarket chain, which is headquartered in Florida. This move allowed for better coordination and collaboration between the two companies.
Listeria is a genus of bacteria that can cause a serious infection called listeriosis. Listeria monocytogenes is the species most commonly associated with human illness. These bacteria are found in soil, water, and animal feces, and can contaminate a variety of foods. They are particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.
What is Listeriosis? Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Anyone can get listeriosis.
Symptoms of listeriosis can vary depending on the individual. Mild cases may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases can lead to more serious complications, such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, and even death. It's important to note that symptoms can take several days or even weeks to appear. Listeriosis is stoppable. Thoroughly cook foods. Ensure meats, poultry, seafood, and eggs are cooked to their proper internal temperatures. Practice good hygiene. Wash hands. Wash cutting boards, and utensils thoroughly with hot, soapy water after handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, or unpasteurized dairy products. Refrigerate foods promptlym. Store perishable foods at or below 40°F (4°C). Avoid unpasteurized dairy products. This includes milk, cheese, and yogurt. Be cautious with ready-to-eat foods. These include deli meats, hot dogs, luncheon meats, soft cheeses, and smoked seafood. Consider heating these foods to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before eating. Clean fruits and vegetable. Wash produce thoroughly under running water before eating. If you suspect you may have listeriosis, contact your healthcare provider. Immediately.
Listeria monocytogenes: A Cellular Intruder. Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogenic bacterium. Unlike many other bacteria that reside outside host cells, Listeria is an intracellular pathogen. An intracellular pathogen invades and lives within the cells of its host organism, in this case, humans. Its primary function is to survive and replicate within host cells. This ability is what makes it so dangerous, as it allows the bacteria to evade the immune system and spread throughout the body.
What are the key steps in the Listeria infection cycle.
1. Invasion:
Listeria enters host cells, often through the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Intracellular growth:
The bacteria replicate within the cell, using the host's resources for survival and multiplication.
3. Cell-to-cell spread:
Listeria can induce the formation of actin-based structures that propel it from one cell to another, allowing it to spread rapidly without exposure to the extracellular environment.
4. Immune evasion:
Listeria has developed various mechanisms to evade the host's immune response, contributing to its virulence.
5. Healing after viral death.
Unfortunately, you cannot visually identify Listeria-infected meat. The bacteria is microscopic and doesn't alter the meat's appearance, smell, or taste. This is a significant challenge in food safety, as it relies heavily on prevention and testing rather than visual inspection. Listeria can survive refrigeration: This means contaminated meat can appear perfectly safe. Cooking to a high temperature will kill Listeria. Proper food handling and storage are crucial in preventing contamination.
What is the incubation period for Listeriosis?
The incubation period for listeriosis can vary widely. This means the time between consuming contaminated food and the onset of symptoms can differ significantly from person to person. Symptoms usually appear within 2 to 3 weeks of exposure. However, in some cases, it can be as short as a few days or as long as several months. The severity of symptoms and the incubation period can be influenced by factors such as overall health, age, and immune system strength.
Stay alert, pay attention to your item choices. Grocery shopping is essential.
And yes, they're not actually selling a decapitated pig's head
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