Tips on how to reduce Listeria risk in foods
International food safety expert Dr Lucia Anelich says the listeriosis outbreak could be described as the worst of its kind in global history.
The foodborne pathogen has claimed the lives of 61 patients in South Africa so far.
Dr Lucia Anelich says listeriosis does not discriminate and shares food safety advice on how to protect yourself.
Among the most vulnerable to contract listeriosis are:
- pregnant women
- people with auto immune diseases
- people with diabetes
- organ donor recipients
- diabetics
- HIV positive people
- people over 65
Tips on how to safeguard against listeriosis:
- practice good hygiene in the kitchen
- do not cross-contaminate raw and cooked foods
- wash hands and utensils
- always wipe surfaces
- cook food thoroughly
- refrigerate food
- check use-by dated on perishable foods
- avoid unpasteurised milk
- avoid raw, or ready-to-eat food products
Listeria infects just about anybody, it doesn't matter your health status.
Dr Lucia Anelich
Listen to the **insightful discussion on listeriosis (starting from 10:20):**
More from ConsumerTalk with Wendy Knowler

Banking ombud probing how thieves stole over R200k from woman's 'blocked' phone
If your phone gets stolen, call your bank right away. Your accounts can be raided.
Read More
Doctor warns against bogus treatments after CT woman's ozone therapy nightmare
A Cape Town woman has been left with serious lung damage after her ozone therapy session went wrong. A medical doctor weighs in.
Read More
Here's how to stop dodgy subscription services from depleting your airtime
Unwanted charges on your cell bill? Struggling to unsubscribe from rogue content services that you never signed up for? Here's what you can do.
Read More
You may be using a hand sanitiser that doesn't work against Covid, expert warns
Hand sanitiser has become a highly sought-after product amid the coronavirus pandemic. But are all of them effective? Wendy Knowler investigates.
Read More
This insurance company says it is paying out business interruption claims
Wendy Knowler, Consumer Ninja, investigates non-payment of business interruption claims during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Read More
'He sent through a fake bank payment notification' - beware Gumtree scammers
As South Africans look for ways to make extra cash, Gumtree South Africa has warned consumers not to fall prey to online fraudsters.
Read More
The Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance report - what were the complaints?
The Ombud for Short Term Insurance’s aim is to resolve short term insurance complaints ''fairly, efficiently and impartially''.
Read More
When credit life insurance goes wrong because of a UIF payment
Wendy Knowler, consumer Ninja, on the small print and pitfalls of credit life insurance.
Read More
The banking report is out - our Consumer Ninja takes a look
The annual banking ombuds report has been released. Were they good, were they bad; how many complaints have been received?
Read More
Car sales and repairs reopen, but no clarity on motor licensing offices just yet
Car dealerships and repair shops have been allowed to reopen under very strict conditions, explains consumer journo Wendy Knowler.
Read More