Senior News Line: Food recalls

It’s impossible to say exactly what’s going on, but lately there are problems with our food supply, one after the other. Listeria and salmonella are at the top of the list.

Listeria shows up in water, waste and the soil and ends up in our meat, fresh produce and dairy products.

Some say the rising number of cases of listeria are because we’re eager to grab ready-to-eat foods like deli meats. Others point to better detection methods that find listeria during inspections.

One big concern, however, is that cold doesn’t kill listeria. Even if it’s stored in the cold, or even frozen, it doesn’t die.

We seniors need to be especially careful. A bad case of listeria or salmonella can put us in the hospital.

What can we do to avoid problems with food contamination? With salmonella, wash your fruit and vegetables.

Cook foods to the correct temperature, especially eggs, meat and poultry. Invest in a thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature in the refrigerator.

Listeria is tougher. Unfortunately, hygiene is part of the problem. The contamination can start at the location where the food is produced and spread around the deli counter if slicers aren’t washed correctly.

Besides being cautious, pay attention to food recalls. You can sign up for email alerts at www.FoodSafety.gov, www.recalls.gov, www.fda.gov and www.fsis.usda.gov.