Foodborne IllnessQuestion 11 of 240
A deli in Brooklyn stores ready-to-eat cold cuts for weeks in the walk-in at 40°F. Which pathogen is uniquely dangerous here because it can still grow at refrigeration temperatures and threatens pregnant women?
a.Bacillus cereus
b.Hepatitis A
c.Listeria monocytogenes
d.Salmonella
Explanation
Listeria monocytogenes is unusual because it grows even at refrigeration temperatures below 41°F and is especially dangerous to pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly, causing miscarriage and severe illness. Control includes discarding deli products by their use-by dates, keeping cold holding as cold as possible, and cleaning walk-ins. Most other pathogens stop growing near 41°F.
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