Numerous listeria food poisoning outbreaks in recent months have caused federal safety officials to reanalyze their inspection processes.

A series of recent listeria food poisoning outbreaks has prompted federal food inspectors to re-evaluate their review processes and implement several improvements aimed at protecting Americans from severe illnesses in the coming year.

Following a number of high-profile listeria outbreaks earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a press release on December 17, announcing that the agency will be taking stronger measures to protect the American public from listeria bacteria, starting as early as January 2025.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterium that causes listeriosis, an illness characterized by fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. While symptoms are often mild in healthy individuals, children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe complications, including hospitalization and death.

Pregnant women and their unborn children are particularly vulnerable to listeriosis. The infection can lead to devastating outcomes, such as premature delivery, miscarriage, or stillbirth, even if the mother experiences only mild symptoms.