Domestic kitchen risk factors of listeriosis among older-adult consumers

Abstract

Listeriosis associated with older-adult consumers Listeria monocytogenes, the causative agent of human listeriosis, is reported to be associated with the highest hospitalization (<95%) and mortality rates (<41%) of foodborne pathogens in the UK. Due to its characteristics of being a psychrotrophic mesophile and a facultative anaerobe, L. monocytogenes has the ability to survive and grow at refrigeration temperatures in vacuum packed food. Extended storage times may allow high numbers to be reached. Consequently, ready-to-eat (RTE) food products that have refrigerated extended shelf-life are commonly associated with listeriosis.