Articles

Updated as of: 3-26-2024

1. Listeria Outbreak in Arizona and Food Safety

Just last month, an outbreak of Listeria (also called Listeriosis) associated with queso fresco and cotija cheese was reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Arizona. Various dairy products sold in stores like Whole Foods Market, El Super, and Food City were affected, and the production facility linked to the outbreak recalled their food items shortly after the outbreak occurred. If you have purchased any of these contaminated food products, do not eat any of them. Throw the item away or return it to the store. Ensure that you thoroughly clean out the refrigerator, as the bacteria that causes Listeria can survive and spread to other foods as well. Click here for more information about the outbreak and affected products.   

What is Listeria?  

Listeria is a type of bacteria found in moist environments such as in soil and water. It can survive and even grow under standard food preservation methods, including refrigeration. It is transmitted when food products are harvested, processed, prepared, packed, transported, or stored in an area that is already contaminated. The soil, air, water, or equipment can harbor the bacteria. Both people and pets can become sick with Listeria should they consume contaminated food.  

Signs and Symptoms of Listeria  

The symptoms of listeria depend heavily on the severity of the illness. Symptoms can develop within a few hours to two or three days of exposure to a contaminated food item. The most severe cases can take anywhere from three days to three months to develop. Click here for more detailed information on symptoms of Listeria.  

  • Mild symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  

  • Severe symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.  

If you or someone you know may have had contact with the bacteria that causes Listeria, and has developed symptoms that resemble Listeria, contact your healthcare provider immediately.  

Who is at risk of Listeria? 

Those with weakened immune systems, including elderly individuals and those with chronic diseases are most at risk of severe illness. Pregnant women are also at increased risk of serious complications from Listeria infection, including miscarriage and stillbirth. Infants born with a Listeria infection are at risk of lifelong health complications and death. 

Incorporate these food safety tips to protect yourself and your family against food-borne illnesses:  
  • Maintain your refrigerator at 40º Fahrenheit (4º C) and your freezer at 0º Fahrenheit (–18º C) to slow or prevent the growth of pathogens like Listeria.  

  • Wash the inside walls and shelves of the refrigerator, cutting boards, countertops, and utensils, and sanitize them with a solution of 1 TBSP bleach to 1 gallon of hot water before drying them with a clean cloth or paper towel.  

  • Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food.  

  • People with pets should take special care to avoid cross-contamination when preparing pet food.  

  • Pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised individuals should avoid unpasteurized or raw milks, cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, raw fish, raw sprouts, and other raw foods associated with Listeria. Click here to read more in our previous food safety article 

If you would like to report a potential food-borne illness, please contact your County’s Environmental Health Department. If you have questions, please call the Arizona Food Safety & Environmental Services Program at 602-364-3118 

Resources: 


2. Cannabis Use and Health

In 2020, it became legal for Arizona residents over the age of 21 to use cannabis recreationally. People had many questions, and three years later, we still need clear answers. The Arizona Cannabis Education (AzCANN) program, a partnership between the University of Arizona Health Sciences and the Arizona Department of Health Services, helps by sharing easy-to-understand information with the public and health professionals.   

Keeping the public informed about responsible use 

What are the laws governing cannabis use in Arizona? What does research say about the potential risks and benefits of cannabis? What does it mean to use cannabis responsibly as an adult? People say different things about cannabis, and it can be tough to know what’s true. When thinking about using cannabis or talking to others about it, here are some good tips to follow for responsible cannabis use: 

  • If you are a young adult who wants to use cannabis, wait until you’re 25, when your brain is fully developed. If you decide to use it earlier, think about using small amounts and not very often. 

  • Only get cannabis products from licensed dispensaries, where they are tested for your safety. 

  • If you use cannabis, take it slow. Wait between puffs or bites. 

  • Do not drive right after using cannabis. Wait at least 6 hours if you smoked or 8 hours if you ate an edible. 

  • Keep any cannabis products locked up and away from kids or pets. 


Find more evidence-based content, including helpful cannabis FAQs and educational videos that can be used by health educators, on the AzCANN website: painandaddiction.arizona.edu/AzCANN 

Do you have your own question about cannabis?  Click Here to submit your question. (Submitted questions will be considered for future FAQs.) 

Keeping health care professionals up to date 

Understanding cannabis and its effects can be a lot to take in. In the last year, cannabis use has gone up by 43%, with 48.2 million Americans currently using it. Still, there is much we don't know about how cannabis interacts with our bodies. It is critical for health professionals to be well-informed, so they can help people make the right choices for themselves. 

There are a few key knowledge areas that can help health professional become competent in dealing with cannabis: 

  • Knowing how THC and CBD affect the endocannabinoid system. 

  • Being aware of research on potential risks and benefits of cannabis. 

  • Conducting open and judgment-free conversations with those curious about cannabis for recreational or medical reasons. 

  • Understanding harm reduction and its role in handling substance use in treatment and policy. 

Resources: 

If you want to enhance your understanding of cannabis, there are free on-demand Continuing Education (CE) credits for health care professionals available through this link: Eventbrite. These resources are also accessible on the Comprehensive Center for Pain & Addiction’s YouTube playlist. 

If you have questions about cannabis, you can submit them here: https://www.redcap.link/Ask-AzCANN . Stay updated on cannabis education and find more resources at painandaddiction.arizona.edu/AzCANN. 

The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center provides cannabis resources at azmedmj.org/. For immediate assistance on cannabis toxicology, drug interactions or other concerns, call the Arizona Poison and Drug Center at 1-800-222-1222. Experts are available 24/7 to answer questions privately and for free, and interpretation services are available if needed. 

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