There are millions of different types of bacteria in the world. They range from harmless bacteria found in the soil to possibly lethal bacteria found in your food. While these microscopic creatures are a mystery to the majority of us, one form of bacteria is garnering quite a lot of attention thanks to a recent recall of ground beef by Cargill Meat Solutions. E. coli bacteria are one of many forms... [more]

The recent recall of an estimated 8,500 pounds of Cargill Meat Solutions ground beef has brought to light the enormous challenges associated with fighting foodborne illnesses once exposure has occurred.  This latest recall is the result of beef that is believed to be contaminated with E. coli O26, a. Shiga toxin producing E.coli bacteria.  E. coli 026 is not the only strain of E. coli that we should... [more]

What if it didn’t take 48 hours to determine if a food sample was contaminated with harmful E. coli bacteria? What if instead, it only took one hour? That is what scientists at Purdue University are working towards and may have actually succeeded. The recent ground beef recall  from Cargill Meat Solutions could have benefitted from such speedy E. coli detection methods. As of right now, three individuals... [more]

Many strains of the E. coli bacteria are located in the digestive systems of most humans and animals. These strains of E. coli help aid in the breakdown of foods into viable sugars and proteins. Although these strains of E. coli are beneficial, many strains of E. coli can be dangerous to human health. E. coli 0157:H7 is one such strain. E. coli 0157:H7 is the culprit behind many of today’s cases... [more]

The CDC posted an interesting chart on its website. The chart describes foodborne sicknesses linked to U.S. outbreaks for the year 2007. During 2007, there were a total of 21, 244 foodborne illnesses linked to an outbreak and eighteen deaths. According to the chart, 34% of these illness are related to some form of bacteria. Salmonella and Norovirus topped the chart. Of the eighteen reported deaths,... [more]

A Hornellsville, New York trailer park has received an order to boil water from the Steuben County Department of Public Health and Nursing Services. Green Acres Mobile Home Park is the subject of an E. coli investigation. It has been discovered that city water was being pumped into the park from an old, thought to be discontinued well. A lack of chlorine and water pressure problems were cited in the... [more]

Today, the CDC published its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The main topic of this week’s edition was a summarization of 2007 foodborne illness data. The report outlined foodborne illnesses related to Salmonella, norovirus, E. coli, and a host of other food poisoning incidences from 2007. According to the report, there were 235 outbreaks related to one specific food item. Seventeen... [more]

It is a known fact that children are disproportionately affected each year by foodborne illnesses. The CDC reports that almost half of all reported foodborne illness cases in the United States involve children, mostly under the age of fifteen. Foodborne illnesses occurring in children is a serious problem and can lead to long-term health issues and even death.  Why are children disproportionately... [more]

E. coli O157:H7 bacterial infections can lead to serious medical complications. One of these complications is hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). E. coli is not the only bacteria which leads to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Shigella and Salmonella have also reportedly been linked to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) causes renal failure and can be fatal. This potentially... [more]

Recently Fresh Express recalled lots of Veggie Lovers Salad because of concerns over Listeria contamination. Salad greens  aren’t typically a source for Listeria contamination, but it seems that some of the most common foodborne pathogens, such as Listeria, Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7, seem to show up in the most unusual places. The disease Listeria causes, listeriosis, is a fairly rare disease,... [more]