Listeria and Home-made Salads

  Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium commonly found in soil and water. It can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperature. Although healthy people develop few or no symptoms when infected, Listeria monocytogenes could be dangerous to the susceptible groups including pregnant women, newborns, the elderly and people with low immunity.

  There have been reports of listeria infection causing death in people with low immunity or causing miscarriage in pregnant women in different countries and regions including Hong Kong. For those susceptible groups and women preparing for pregnancy, if they would like to consume salad, the general advice is to prepare their own salad and consume it as soon as possible.

The best way to enjoy home-made salads is to have them fresh and hygienic: