The Melbourne catering company closes its doors after the death of a listeria customer

An 80-year-old woman died after contracting Listeria from a catering company that provided her with a meal using the "Home Meal" service, which serves thousands of people each week.

I Cook Foods, of Dandenong South, in southeastern Melbourne, was closed Friday by the Victoria Department of Health after six samples from their meals were tested positive for listeria.

The company delivers to more than 13 hospitals and senior care facilities and eight Meals on Wheels organizations.

It is feared that the disease, especially dangerous for the elderly, pregnant women and newborns, could potentially reach thousands of others, reports The Age.

Eighty-year-old woman died of listeria bacteria found in food delivered to thousands of people each week (stock image)

Catering company I Cook Foods was closed by the Victoria Health Department after six samples of their food returned positive for Listeria bacteria.

O FIND LISTERIA?

Listeria is potentially life-threatening

– Delicatessen and hot dogs ready to eat

– Chilled pates or meat spreads

– Unpasteurized milk and dairy products

– Non-pasteurized milk soft cheese, such as Feta, Brie, Camembert

– Smoked and chilled seafood

– Raw cabbage

The Victoria Health Department has issued an urgent warning to anyone who thinks they have eaten food from the company's kitchen and have been exposed to the bacteria.

The department has begun alerting food service companies delivering to the area that their food may be contaminated.

The complete development of Listeria bacteria takes two weeks and up to 70 days for pregnant women.

The symptoms resemble colds, fever, body aches, but the infection can be fatal if left untreated.

Since the death of the elderly woman, Dr. Brett Sutton, Acting Chief Health Officer of Victoria, has warned of the severity of the disease.

"More than a third of infected people can die," he told Nine News.

The 80-year-old woman was from the eastern suburbs of Melbourne and died at Knox's private hospital.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted I Cook Foods for a comment.

The 80-year-old woman died at Knox private hospital (pictured) in Wantirna after a listeriosis outbreak was discovered in a food delivered by I Cook Foods.

I Cook Foods Serves Eight Hospitals, Five Senior Care Facilities and Eight Counsel Through Home Meals