Have you ever heard of listeriosis? If not, you might be in for a shock. This foodborne illness affects hundreds of pregnant women each year, potentially causing severe medical complications for moms-to-be and their unborn babies!
While listeriosis does present some major risks to both mother and child, it is surprisingly easy to avoid – so long as you shop and eat smart.
Keep reading for essential food safety facts for preventing infection, and all that you need to know to stay safe while still enjoying the foods that you love – thanks to HPP technology.
What is HPP?
Also known as high pressure processing, this method of food preservation uses high pressure, rather than chemical additives or heat.
This is achieved via equally distributed water-based isostatic pressure that does not crush cook products. And food treated with HPP has a much longer shelf life and maximum product safety.
But how does it work?
Simply put, isostatic pressure inactivates food-borne microorganisms and enzymes that can cause spoilage. The process takes just a few minutes, and treated products are immediately ready to consume. HPP is helping to reduce the risks associated to Listeria in the food industry.
In addition to eliminating food-damaging organisms and deactivating microorganisms, HPP can slow down or even stop the decay process. This can stop food discolouration, too.
Thankfully, flavours and vitamins, which consist of much smaller molecules, remain intact.
HPP Prevents Listeria in Food – and More!
In addition to killing off listeria, HPP can destroy a wide variety of contaminants, including molds, yeasts, parasites, bacteria, and spores. And it’s perfectly safe for both mother and baby.
Many foods are suitable for HPP preservation, including the following:
- sausages, dry-cured meats, cooked meat products, cheeses, seafood, marinated products, dips, sauces
- fruits, jams and marmalades, compotes, purées
- fruit and vegetable juices, bioactive beverages
However, foods with entrapped air like bread, cakes, mousses, marshmallows, berries, and leafy vegetables may be crushed or compacted under high pressure.
HPP Packaging and Shelf Life
When it comes to listeriosis and pregnant women, proper packaging and storage are also essential to halt bacterial growth. This is especially important in packaged meats and cheeses, which are often linked to outbreaks.
Starting with a safe and high-quality product also helps promote a healthy baby and mother! So, even if you’re purchasing foods processed via HPP, you shouldn’t ignore other food safety tips – like avoiding preservatives and keeping all meat and dairy products properly refrigerated.
McLean Meats Food Safety Facts
Armed with these food safety facts, you’re ready to shop for and enjoy your favorite foods, without the fear of listeriosis infection.
By using HPP technology, McLean can offer the highest quality deli products that are free of chemical preservatives and of contaminants, like listeria. In addition, most of our products are certified organic and all our animals are humanely raised without antibiotics. McLean deli meats are truly preservative free with no nitrites added, including no nitrites from celery extracts.
Shop our delicious and nutritious products today with options to purchase at a store near you or enjoy home delivery. We promise you’ll love our clean and healthy offerings and our “embrace food with gratitude” mission!