Listeriosis: 5 dangerous conditions after consuming Jay & Joy products, what are the symptoms, what to do?

On January 20, I informed the Directorate General of Health 5 serious cases of listeriosis, 4 of them in pregnant women after premature birth. They have consumed Vegetable specialties (cheese substitutes) with almond milk and cashew nuts manufactured and marketed under the Jay & Joy brand.

on the same topic

Those five people, infected with the same strain of listeria, reported symptoms between April and December 2022, the press release said.

After investigation by health authorities (SPF and DGS) and food (DGAI), the National Listeria Reference Center, and the Department of Competition, Consumption and Fraud (DGCCRF), it was found that the reported cases These vegetable specialties were consumed in the weeks leading up to listeriosis.

In addition, investigations revealed “irregularities of the company, particularly with regard to monitoring the risk of microbiological contamination of products manufactured within the factory.”. And therefore, “The prefectural decree, which aims to stop the marketing of all products stored and manufactured in the factory, was issued on January 16, 2023.”

JAY & JOY proceeded with the recall and recall of all products manufactured by the company on January 14, 2023. At this point, epidemiological and microbiological surveillance measures carried out by SpFrance and CNR Listeria continue at the Pasteur Institute.

Details of the products involved in the recall are available at rappel.conso.gouv.fr. Holders of these products are requested not to consume them and to return them to the point of sale where they were purchased.

Have you consumed these Jay & Joy products? Persons who have consumed the products in question and who provide Within 10 days to 2 months after consuming the product fever, isolated or accompanied by headache and digestive disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), they are invited to consult their doctor by informing him of the consumption of this food at risk.

Food products are regularly recalled due to suspected listeria infection. Recently, they touched on Kinder Chocolate and Pita Boutonni.

to blog. In France, listeriosis is still a rare disease with only 5 to 6 cases per million inhabitants per year. In 2015, nearly 350 cases of listeriosis were registered in France.

Symptoms: What are the signs of listeriosis?

In a healthy person, a bacterial infection Listeria monocytogenes It generally goes unnoticed as the pathogen is quickly destroyed by the immune system: so there are no symptoms.

On the other hand, in the elderly and/or people who are immunocompromised (ie: suffering from a chronic disease such as diabetes, cirrhosis, obesity, suffering from cancer, or under immunosuppressive treatment), the bacteria multiply in the bloodstream and we can observe :

• Respiratory distress: irregular and noisy breathing, tachycardia, severe headache, bluish lips and extremities (fingers, toes), discomfort …
• Neurological symptoms reflecting meningoencephalitis: behavioral disturbances, photophobia (extreme discomfort with light), neck stiffness …
• Septic shock: confusion, agitation, high fever (above 38°C), rash…

Incubation: What is the incubation time for Listeria?

the incubation period bacteria Listeria monocytogenes (i.e. the time between contamination and the onset of the first symptoms of the disease) is quite variable: it is generally between A few days and two months (7-8 weeks).

It should be noted that in severe cases (sepsis and neurogenic forms), the first symptoms of listeriosis can appear very quickly, within a few days.

Pregnancy: What are the risks of listeriosis in pregnant women?

Bacterial infection during pregnancy Listeria monocytogenes It can have serious consequences for the health and development of the unborn child. Bacteria cross the placental barrier and may be responsible for uterine death or spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)” says d. bastide.

If the disease is, in general, without consequences for the mother, the baby can be born prematurely and present with severe infection at birth combining sepsis, pulmonary infection, neurogenic involvement and/or skin infection.

Doctor’s advice: “In a pregnant woman, unexplained fever (above 38°C) should be the subject of medical consultation because it is a sign that may indicate listeriosis.Dr. Bastide recommends.

Diagnosis: How is listeriosis diagnosed?

Diagnosis of listeriosis consists of a blood test (serum) and then a blood culture:The blood is “cultivated” in a laboratory to prove the presence of the bacteria“ A gastroenterologist develops. The disease can also be confirmed after microbiological analysis of placenta, cerebrospinal fluid, ascitic fluid, articular puncture, or perinatal samples.

to blog. In France, listeriosis has been considered a notifiable disease since 1998: this means that a doctor or a medical laboratory must report to the health authorities (a regional health agency) when they detect a case of listeriosis.

Treatment: How is listeriosis treated?

The good news: Listeria is not an antibiotic-resistant bacterium. “Treatment of the disease depends on the administration of antibiotics (ampicillin and/or gentamicin)“ explains the gastroenterologist.

Unsurprisingly, the treatment of infection with B Listeria monocytogenes It is most effective when given early – including to pregnant women, to reduce impact on the fetus.

Food: What foods should be avoided during pregnancy?

The best treatment for listeriosis is prevention. So frail people (elderly or immunocompromised) as well as pregnant women should avoid raw foods – “Be careful, Listeria monocytogenes can be found in plant foods as well as in animal foodssays Dr. Bastide. Here is a list of foods to avoid:

• canned food in jelly,
• rillettes and pate,
• Phua,
• Raw milk cheeses: Pont l’Évêque, maroilles, camembert …
• Soft cheeses: Brie, Colomiere, Muenster …
• Smoked fish: salmon, trout …
• Raw fish: sushi, sashimi …
• surimi
• trama,
• Raw meat: tartare, raw ham …
• Raw oysters: oysters…
• Raw seeds are germinated.

be careful ! “Listeria monocytogenes bacteria do not change the taste of food; therefore, it is not possible to distinguish between contaminated food and uncontaminated food according to taste or smell.” notes dr. bastide.

to blog. bacteria Listeria monocytogenes After cooking for 30 minutes at 60°C.

Prevention: How to protect yourself and avoid listeriosis?

To prevent listeriosis, some good reflexes (inspired by common sense!) are essential, especially in the kitchen:

• Wash fruits and vegetables well before eating them.
• Clean your refrigerator regularly with soap and water, ideally once a month.
• Regularly check the temperature of the refrigerator: “The temperature should be around 4 degrees Celsius to limit the spread of bacteria, including Listeria monocytogenes.” Dr. Bastide recommends,
• Respect use-by (DLC) dates/food expiration dates,
• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly Clean kitchen utensils – cutlery …
• carefully reheat leftovers and cooked meals before consumption;

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