Misti D. Turnbull, WSB-TV Channel 2, Managing Editor talked to me this morning and said they were pulling the story about possible Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in GoldCoast crab spread that had incorrect information about the incubation period of the bacteria and symptoms of the disease. Her organization is going to rewrite the story with the correct information and issue corrections on the air.
This is the first time in the 16 months that we have been writing about Food Safety Bloopers that someone who made a food safety mistake has admitted it and made corrections. Kudos to Ms. Turnbull and her staff for making sure consumers get the correct information about food safety!
Remember that Listeria monocytogenes has an incubation period of up to 70 days. Any time a food has been recalled for possible contamination of that bacteria (there’s another recall today for Listeria in smoked salmon) and you have eaten that product, make a note of it on your calendar. Then monitor yourself and others in your family for any signs of the bacteria, including fever, muscle aches, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting for the next two months. If you do get sick, see your doctor and tell him you ate a product recalled for Listeria so you can get proper treatment.
People who are most at risk for serious complications from listeriosis include pregnant women, who may suffer miscarriages and stillbirth, young children, the elderly, and people with suppressed immune systems and chronic illnesses. This bacteria can cause serious illness and death.
Way to get it corrected. Please also in the future do not assume all doctors are male. The last line of this article should read;
“…see your doctor and tell THEM you ate a product recalled for Listeria so you can get proper treatment.”
It is petty, but can be offensive
Thanks
In the last article I wrote, I wrote “see your doctor and tell ‘her’ ….” I use both pronouns alternately. It was just time for a “him.”