What foods should be avoided during brucellosis?

Worldwide, brucellosis is one of the most common bacterial infections transmitted from animals to humans, most often through the consumption of contaminated animal products. Understanding which specific foods to avoid is a critical step for prevention and managing the illness effectively.

Quick Summary

Brucellosis requires strict dietary precautions centered on avoiding unpasteurized dairy and undercooked meat to prevent further infection. Always prioritize cooked, pasteurized products.

Key Points

• Avoid Raw Dairy: Never consume unpasteurized milk, cheese, or ice cream, as they are primary sources of brucellosis infection.

• Cook Meat Thoroughly: Ensure all meat, especially from livestock and game, is cooked to its recommended internal temperature to kill Brucella bacteria.

• Identify High-Risk Products: Be cautious with dairy products and meat sourced from brucellosis-endemic regions like the Mediterranean and Middle East.

• Recognize Hidden Dangers: Remember that bacteria can survive in chilled raw milk for days, posing a risk even after storage.

• Practice Safe Food Handling: Use separate cutting boards and wash hands and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw animal products to prevent cross-contamination.

• Trust Pasteurization: Rely on products explicitly labeled as pasteurized for safety from milk-borne infection.

Understanding the Risk of Brucellosis

Brucellosis, also known as undulant fever, is a bacterial infection caused by various Brucella species that primarily affect livestock like cattle, goats, and sheep. Humans can contract the disease through direct contact with infected animals, inhalation of aerosols, or most commonly, by ingesting contaminated food products. The bacteria are killed by heat, making proper food preparation and selection vital for protection. In many regions, especially endemic areas like the Mediterranean, Middle East, and parts of Africa, contaminated raw dairy is the most frequent source of human infection.

How Brucella Bacteria Enter the Food Supply

The transmission pathway of Brucella bacteria into the human food chain is well-documented. Infected animals, especially dairy-producing livestock like goats and cows, can shed the bacteria into their milk. If this milk is not pasteurized (a heating process that kills harmful bacteria), the pathogens can remain viable and infect anyone who consumes it. Similarly, the flesh of infected animals can contain the bacteria. If meat is consumed raw or undercooked, the live Brucella can be ingested, leading to infection.

Foods to Avoid: The Contamination Risks

During brucellosis, it is imperative to remove all potential sources of re-infection or cross-contamination from your diet. Here are the primary food categories to strictly avoid:

• Unpasteurized (Raw) Dairy Products: This is the most significant vector for foodborne brucellosis. The Brucella bacteria can survive in unpasteurized milk and dairy derivatives for extended periods. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Raw milk from goats, sheep, and cows.
  • Cheeses made from raw milk, such as soft cheeses often found in local markets.
  • Ice cream made with unpasteurized milk or cream.
  • Butter or yogurt prepared from raw milk.

• Undercooked Meat: Meat from infected animals, including livestock and game, must be cooked thoroughly to eliminate the bacteria. This applies to various meat types, including:

  • Undercooked or raw meat from sheep, goat, cow, or camel.
  • Raw or undercooked game meat like bison, elk, or caribou.
  • Meat prepared in endemic areas where livestock are not regularly tested or vaccinated for brucellosis.

Safe vs. Unsafe Food Choices

It is crucial to distinguish between safe, heat-treated products and unsafe raw or undercooked alternatives. This table outlines the differences clearly.

Food Type	Unsafe (Avoid)	Safe (Choose)
Milk	Raw, unpasteurized milk	Pasteurized milk
Cheese	Cheese made from raw milk	Cheese made from pasteurized milk
Meat (General)	Rare or medium-rare meat	Well-cooked meat
Ground Meat	Ground meat that is not cooked to the proper temperature	Ground meat cooked to a minimum of 160°F (71°C)
Ice Cream	Ice cream or frozen desserts made from unpasteurized dairy	Ice cream from pasteurized milk

Tips for Food Preparation and Handling

Beyond simply avoiding certain foods, implementing safe food handling practices is essential, especially when living in or traveling to endemic regions.

1. Read Labels: Always check product labels to confirm that dairy items have been pasteurized. If the label is unclear or the product is from an unknown source (e.g., local market abroad), avoid it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance on avoiding brucellosis from food.
2. Proper Cooking Temperatures: Use a meat thermometer to ensure meat is cooked to the correct internal temperature. Whole cuts should reach at least 145°F (63°C) and sit for three minutes before serving, while ground meats require a minimum of 160°F (71°C).
3. Wash Produce: While not a primary source, it is always a best practice to wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly, particularly if they are to be consumed raw, to prevent any potential cross-contamination.
4. Practice Hygiene: Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces that have been in contact with raw meat or other animal products to prevent the spread of bacteria.
5. Be Aware During Travel: When traveling to regions where brucellosis is more common, assume all dairy products are unpasteurized unless you have explicit confirmation otherwise.

Conclusion

Preventing brucellosis through dietary choices focuses on avoiding raw or undercooked animal products that can harbor the Brucella bacteria. Strict adherence to food safety principles, such as choosing pasteurized dairy and properly cooking all meat, is the best defense. By understanding the risks and making informed choices, individuals can significantly reduce their chance of infection and aid in their recovery during treatment. While antibiotics are the primary treatment for brucellosis, controlling your food intake prevents further exposure and supports overall health.

Further information on brucellosis symptoms and causes can be found on the Mayo Clinic website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get brucellosis from eating cheese?

Yes, you can get brucellosis from eating cheese if it is made from unpasteurized (raw) milk. The bacteria survive the cheese-making process if not pasteurized.

Is it safe to drink pasteurized milk during brucellosis?

Yes, pasteurized milk is safe to drink because the heating process effectively kills the Brucella bacteria. You should strictly avoid any unpasteurized dairy.

What happens if I eat undercooked meat during a brucellosis infection?

Eating undercooked meat from an infected animal could introduce more Brucella bacteria, potentially worsening the infection or prolonging recovery.

Does freezing meat kill the *Brucella* bacteria?

No, freezing meat is not a reliable method for killing Brucella bacteria. Thorough cooking to safe internal temperatures is required to eliminate the pathogen.

Are there any vegetarian foods to avoid?

Brucellosis is not primarily transmitted through vegetarian foods. The risk is from contaminated animal products. However, good hygiene like washing produce is always recommended to avoid any cross-contamination.

Can I eat raw vegetables if they are from a region with brucellosis?

While brucellosis is not typically transmitted by vegetables, you should always wash them thoroughly. Contamination could occur if they come into contact with water or soil containing the bacteria.

Is it possible to become re-infected with brucellosis?

Yes, reinfection is possible. Even after successful treatment, continued exposure to contaminated food sources like unpasteurized dairy or undercooked meat can lead to another infection.