The OzarksFirst.com just reported on an interesting new tool the FDA is utilizing to detect potential foodborne illnesses…it’s a mobile food lab. Currently situated along the Mexican border, the food lab is inspecting fruits and vegetables as they cross the border for food poisoning agents including Salmonella and E. coli. By detecting Salmonella and E. coli before they enter the marketplace, the FDA is trying to prevent foodborne illness outbreaks by not allowing contaminated food to enter the market. E. coli and Salmonella can both lead to diarrheal and stomach ailments. Additionally, E. coli has been linked to the potentially deadly kidney complication known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). According to the article, the lab is unique because it can not only test for bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, but it can also be used to test water supplies in the event of a natural disaster. The lab can also be used in the government’s fight against possible bioterrorism.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
