According to the CDC’s Escherichia Coli General Information webpage, there are different forms of E. coli bacteria. Some are harmless, others can be potentially fatal. E. coli O157:H7 is a unique form of E. coli bacteria.  This form of E. coli is capable of generating Shiga toxin.  When the toxin are produced from E. coli bacteria, complications can result. The E. coli bacteria itself can cause... [more]

In July of 2009, the United States House of Representatives held committee hearings on Bill H.R. 1549, known as the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2009. This legislation would attempt to halt the creation of antibiotic resistant bacteria (superbugs) through limitations on utilization of antibiotics in the livestock industry. Citing a 2003 study by the National Academy of Science linking... [more]

Randolph Packing Co. Inc., an Asheboro, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 96,000 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.  The products subject to recall include: Combo bin packages of “Randolph Packing Co., Inc. BONELESS BEEF.” Combo bin packages of... [more]

The South Dakota Argus Leader recently published an article entitled “Officials Wary of Agri-Terrorism,” which discussed the state’s readiness for an agri-terrorism attack. When people normally think of terrorism, they think of 9-11 scenarios. However, terrorists could potentially utilize the U.S. food supply as a weapon of mass destruction. The article describes how South Dakota has developed... [more]

The Wall Street Journal just published an article that notes the FDA has concluded that food poisoning is becoming more prevalent. According to the article, yearly over 75 million cases of foodborne illnesses are reported. Additionally, over 300,000 people each year are hospitalized for some type of food poisoning and 5,000 people die as a result of these illnesses. What is causing this increase in... [more]

Viruses and bacteria can be found throughout our world: on table tops, in our bathroom sinks, and sometimes in the food we eat. E. coli, Salmonella, and Staph are some of the more common bacterial infections that can cause foodborne illnesses in humans. Hepatitis A and Calcivirus are two viruses that humans can contract from food. However, not all pathogens cause illnesses in humans. Some viruses only... [more]

Raw milk was back in the news today because of Georgia legislation seeking to legalize its sale.  According to the bill introduced by Rep. Doug McKillip, the State Department of Agriculture would control and regulate the distribution and consumption of raw milk.  A separate bill by Rep. Bobby Franklin would legalize raw milk, but would not require the government to regulate it. Franklin feels that... [more]

Two companies, Ecolab and AvidBiotics, are cooperating to develop new food safety techniques associated with preventing foodborne illness bacteria in red meat. The companies are currently working specifically with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. E. coli bacteria is a foodborne illness which can cause diarrhea, nausea, and other food poisoning symptoms. E. coli prevention is especially important as it can... [more]

Since 2007, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture has been working in conjunction with the USDA on implementation of a Radio Frequency ID (RFID) pilot program. According to the department’s website, this research project, aimed at developing practical food tracking methods, links the Hawaii Department of Agriculture with local farmers. The farmers place RFID tags in containers of food products. The... [more]

On January 22, 2010, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that it was looking into a Salmonella outbreak that has spread to 38 states. According to the news update entitled Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo, Salmonella serotype Montevideo has infected 184 people.  No one has ever died from the food poisoning; however, several individuals have been admitted to hospitals.... [more]