By deli meat Unpleasant frozen waffles And pancakes, Listeria recalls seem to make headlines more often – but why?

There are a few reasons why we may see an increase in these infections, including a more complicated food supply chain, explains Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News medical contributor and public health editor-in-chief at KFF Health News.

“There’s a chance of contamination at every step of food processing. That’s number one. Consumers want ready-to-eat foods, so obviously that makes them more processed,” she said on “CBS Mornings.”

Plus, “We have better testing. So before we might not have been aware or known what made you sick. Now we can actually test, detect and tell you what made you sick.”

Although these recalls are seemingly becoming more common, they are not something to ignore. Listeria can lead to serious illness and even be fatal.

“You can develop some pretty serious illness, including meningitis, which is when it’s in your spinal cord, or sepsis, where the listeria gets into your bloodstream and can cause damage to your organs,” Gounder said.

So if you have a product on a recall listthe best thing you can do is throw it away.

“This is not worth the risk. This could be fatal. So basically throw away anything on the recall list,” she said.

Listeria symptoms

Listeria infections are caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Symptoms to look out for include headaches, fever, changes in your mental status, difficulty walking, and even seizures.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that people may also experience a stiff neck and flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue.

Some people are also at greater risk for severe cases, including those who are pregnant, newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems.

“Some foods we consider high risk — and why we tell pregnant women not to eat them, for example — are processed meats and soft cheeses,” Gounder said. “These foods have a very high risk of contamination.”

Does heat or cooking kill listeria?

Cooking or reheating foods thoroughly can kill listeria, but Gounder notes, “You have to cook things to a high enough temperature.”

The CDC recommends reheating deli meats, hot dogs, and fermented or dry sausages to 165°F or until steaming hot. The same goes for pasteurized soft and deli cheeses: heat to an internal temperature of 165°F before eating.

“Freezing does not kill bacteria like listeria, it is a very hardy bacteria,” Gounder said. Refrigeration also does not kill listeria.

How does listeria spread?

The most common way listeria spreads is through food, Gounder explains, but it can also spread through cross-contamination.

“It could come from other foods, it could be contaminated equipment or surfaces. We find listeria in the soil and water. So there’s a lot of different ways it can get into a frozen waffle (for example),” she said.

If you had a recalled product in your refrigerator, freezer, or elsewhere in your kitchen, it is important to disinfect those surfaces to prevent further contamination.

Treatment for listeria

Treatment depends on the severity of the disease. It may contain antibiotics or fluids to prevent dehydration. Seek medical attention if you suspect you are infected.