While we do not want to cause undue alarm, it is important to provide accurate information about the recent foodborne health concern affecting Europe: Listeria. This bacterium has been responsible for several outbreaks in various European countries over the past few years. For example, in Hungary, maize and possibly other frozen vegetables from a local producer are believed to have caused an outbreak, which since 2015 has resulted in 47 cases, including 9 fatalities, across Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Italy has also faced the threat, with some frozen vegetables and minestrone soup lots being withdrawn as a precaution. However, the Italian Ministry of Health has confirmed that the situation is “contained” and not a significant cause for concern. At present, as per Health Minister Giulia Grillo, there is no active outbreak in Italy.
What is Listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium responsible for listeriosis, is particularly troubling because it can thrive in both heat and cold, meaning it can even survive in frozen foods. Listeriosis is a potentially fatal infection typically caused by ingesting contaminated food and is classified as a foodborne illness. Though evidence of the disease has been observed in animals since the late 1800s, the first human case was reported in 1929. In recent years, it has become a more prominent public health issue, particularly in Western countries, where it is increasingly recognized as a major threat.
Though relatively rare, listeriosis can cause severe illness, particularly in vulnerable groups like infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. Common sources of contamination include fish, raw meat, unpasteurized milk and dairy, processed foods like hot dogs, cold cuts, pre-packed salads, sandwiches, and smoked fish.
Listeriosis symptoms can vary. For healthy individuals, it typically presents as acute gastroenteritis, but in at-risk groups, it can progress to invasive forms such as meningitis, encephalitis, and septicemia, which may lead to long-term health complications or death. Pregnant women can experience flu-like symptoms, and in some cases, the infection can have severe consequences for the fetus, such as stillbirth or premature birth.
How to Defend Yourself at Home
The best defense against listeriosis is proper prevention, which can be easily implemented through basic hygiene and food safety practices. This includes thoroughly washing hands and kitchen utensils, ensuring proper cooking of food, and cleaning raw food carefully.
What Can Companies Do? waveco®’s Contribution
Prevention, however, is largely the responsibility of food producers, processors, distributors, and catering companies. At each stage of food handling, it’s crucial to use machinery and procedures that minimize health risks for consumers.
At NCG (Next Cooking Generation), we have been focused on creating innovative machinery for the food industry that prioritizes functionality, energy efficiency, and, above all, consumer health protection. Our latest innovation, waveco®, ensures food safety at every level of the food chain—from production and processing to distribution in commercial and collective catering.
How Can waveco® Help Companies and Protect Consumers?
The key lies in waveco®’s innovative induced maturation© technology. Through its patented mechanical wave system, waveco® immediately breaks down the bacterial load in various foods, including meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit. This rapid reduction of harmful bacteria eliminates the risk of contamination and makes food safe for consumption.
Unlike traditional methods that use heat, waveco® does not cook the food. This allows it to preserve all the nutritional and organoleptic qualities of the food while tripling its shelf life. The food is then ready for further processing or distribution, ensuring consumer safety and quality.
Additional Benefits of waveco®
waveco® offers a cost-effective solution for businesses. It helps save resources, working hours, and energy costs. The push ripening system® enables quick food preparation, better scheduling, increased productivity, reduced waste, and lowered food costs—all while being environmentally friendly.
By choosing waveco®, you’re investing in a safe, efficient, and profitable solution for your business. If you’d like to learn more, get in touch with us to discover the innovative solutions we can offer for your company.