Which foods are considered high-risk for listeria and should be avoided or properly handled by older adults?

• A. Deli meats, unwashed produce, soft cheeses
• B. Fresh fruit only
• C. Cooked vegetables
• D. Canned fruits

Answer: (A)

Listeria risk foods in older adults are foods that can carry Listeria monocytogenes even when refrigerated, making careful handling essential. Deli meats and other refrigerated ready-to-eat products can harbor the bacteria and may grow at fridge temperatures, so they’re best avoided or eaten only after being heated to steaming hot. Soft cheeses, especially those made from unpasteurized milk, are a well-known source because Listeria can survive in dairy products. Unwashed produce can also carry contamination from soil or water, and washing may not completely eliminate the risk.

This is why those items are considered high-risk for older adults. In contrast, freshly cooked vegetables are heated to kill pathogens, and canned fruits have been processed with heat that eliminates Listeria, so they pose a lower risk. To minimize risk, opt for pasteurized dairy products, wash produce thoroughly, and heat deli meats until steaming hot before consuming.