Listeria: the dangerous bacteria that could be hiding in your fridge
It's one of the leading causes of death from food illness. Here's how to avoid getting sick.
Jan, 2026
1 of 10
Slide 1
Food manufacturers and suppliers work hard to bring you safe products, but despite their best efforts that doesn’t always happen. One common food-borne pathogen (or bug) that crops up regularly in a variety of foods is listeria (also known as listeria monocytogenes). The bacteria has caused contamination and recalls in recent years of foods including peaches, plums, packaged salads, mushrooms, ice cream, and deli meats and cheeses. Most cases of listeria, however, are not part of publicized outbreaks.
What is this potentially dangerous food bug, how does it get into our food, and how can we prevent it? Here’s what you need to know about listeria.
Written byPatrick Sullivan.
Medically reviewed byJoanne Perron, MD.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria (Listeriosis): Listeria Outbreaks. Last reviewed November 17 + 13
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria (Listeriosis): Listeria Outbreaks. Last reviewed November 17, 2022.
- USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service. Recalls & Public Health Alerts. Accessed November 28, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria (Listeriosis). Last reviewed November 17, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria (Listeriosis): Questions and Answers. Last reviewed October 25, 2022.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Listeria (Listeriosis). Current as of July 20, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria (Listeriosis): People at Risk. Last reviewed November 8, 2022.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Get the Facts About Listeria. Current as of August 3, 2020.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. What You Need to Know About Preventing Listeria Infections. Current as of March 22, 2018.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria (Listeriosis): Prevention. Page last reviewed July 18, 2022.
- Mayo Clinic. Listeria infection. February 11, 2022.
- Better Health Channel (AU). Food poisoning – listeria. Reviewed October 10, 2021.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Listeria and Pregnancy. Last reviewed August 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria (Listeriosis): Symptoms. Page last reviewed May 3, 2022.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Listeria (Listeriosis): Diagnosis & Treatment. Page last reviewed May 3, 2022.
Recommended for you
How can I be more consistent?