Final answer:
It is true that Listeria monocytogenes frequently contaminates deli meats, smoked fish, and soft cheeses, causing listeriosis which is especially dangerous for certain vulnerable populations.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that commonly contaminates deli meats, smoked fish, and soft cheeses. This gram-positive bacterium is capable of growing at refrigeration temperatures and can tolerate high salt concentrations, contributing to its prevalence in food poisoning cases. Listeriosis, the disease caused by this pathogen, is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. To prevent infection, it is advised to avoid foods that are at high risk of contamination, such as unpasteurized dairy products and ready-to-eat deli meats.