The first illness occurred on August 2, 1998. By February 8, 1999, about 100 people living in 22 states had been diagnosed with listeriosis, and 15 adults and six fetuses had died.

   The source: a strain of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes traced to the Bil Mar Foods plant in Michigan. In December 1998, Bil Mar recalled more than 28,000 pounds of hot dogs and deli meats sold under the Ball Park, Bryan, Grillmaster, Hygrade, Mr. Turkey, Sara Lee, and other brand names.

   “The lesson is that food processors can never forget basic sanitation,” says Guelph’s Powell. “A lot of meat packing and slicing machinery is going to be redesigned to make it easier to clean,” he adds. “The dairy industry went through this in the ’80s, when they had their outbreaks.”
 

 Cook all hot dogs thoroughly—that is, until they are steaming.

 Check the expiration date on the package when you buy meat. If you don’t plan to use it before that date, store it in the freezer.