When you marry a food safety microbiologist, you learn just how common those little microbes are everywhere. Listeriosis is nasty because it can grow even at refrigeration temps. Good news: If you aren’t immunocompromised you’ll be fine. If you are, cook your food and listeria is killed. /1

Unless you are pregnant, listeria does a number on developing foetuses. I had a boss way back when whose first child was born with no brain, it was in the 80s before the dangers were known, and no one realised until the girl was born.

I’m married to a radiographer who works in an urology clinic. You REALLY don’t want to know what I’ve learned.

Listeria is hardy and damn near impossible to completely kill in industrial settings. Lunch meat is especially bad. Leafy greens too, especially bean sprouts, fresh herbs, etc If you’re immunocompromised or at risk, including elderly, pregnant, health conditions, avoid the highest risk foods. /2