Listeria monocytogenes infections are commonly linked to which foods?

• A. Deli meats
• B. Raw shellfish
• C. Unpasteurized fruit juice
• D. Undercooked hamburger

Answer: (A)

Listeria monocytogenes stands out because it can grow at refrigerator temperatures and is commonly found in ready-to-eat foods that are eaten without further cooking. Deli meats are a classic vehicle because they’re often consumed cold or only lightly heated, so any contamination can be ingested directly and the bacteria can multiply in the product. This makes deli meats a well-known source of listeriosis, especially posing risk to pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The other items on the list are more typically linked to different pathogens: raw shellfish more often brings Vibrio or Norovirus; unpasteurized juice can transmit enteric bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella; and undercooked hamburger is commonly associated with E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella.