Stance of Preventing Food Contaminated by Listeria Bacteria in the style of UGM Food Experts

Liputan6.com, Yogyakarta – UGM Food Safety Expert Endang S Rahayu finally spoke up about the Listeria bacteria which has recently become a hot topic of conversation. The government asks importers to withdraw the circulation of Enoki mushrooms originating from South Korea.

Because the product was suspected to be contaminated with bacteria Listeria monocytogenes which caused Extraordinary events (KLB) in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

“Bacteria Listeria monocytogenes is one of the pathogenic bacteria that can cause intestinal infections or listeriosis, “said Endang, Saturday (6/27/2020).

He explained that the consumed bacteria will grow in the intestine and attack the mucosa. Not only that, Listeria bacteria will also enter the blood vessels and attack other tissues, including nerves.

If so, Listeria bacteria can have serious effects on vulnerable groups, such as toddlers, the elderly, and pregnant women. The incubation period of infection Listeria monocytogenes lasts 1-7 days. A number of symptoms that usually appear include fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

The Professor of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology (FTP) UGM explained that Listeria bacteria are known as psychrotrophic bacteria that can grow at low temperatures. They can grow between temperatures of 1 to 44 degrees Celsius, with optimum temperatures of 35 to 37 degrees Celsius and at temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees Celsius can still grow quickly.

Listeria monocytogenes also can withstand high salt conditions and pH over 5 and resistant to drying.

“But Listeria bacteria will die if exposed to pasteurization temperatures which is 80 degrees Celsius,” he said.

Trisye explains Listeria monocytogenes usually widely distributed in soil, dirt, feces, drains, and unclean equipment. Foods that are vulnerable to contamination are various types of food that are stored in cold temperatures.

He also suggested to pack food properly when stored in the refrigerator, including separating foodstuffs that are ready to eat and ready to process.

When storing vegetables, including Enoki, it should be placed in a separate plastic container and not mixed with fruits that are ready to eat to avoid cross contamination.

“If vegetables, including Enoki are processed by heating the Listeria bacteria, they can die. “The danger is that the bacteria move to the fruit and reproduce, while the fruit is eaten immediately without washing first, it can cause disease,” said the Head of the Center for Food and Nutrition Studies (PSPG) UGM.

– .