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]

As the 2010 Winter Olympic Games come to a close, I must admit, it has been very exciting watching these competitions. Millions of people world-wide cheered as these athletes sought to fulfill a life-long dream of winning a gold medal. A fortunate few were able to visit Vancouver and watch the games in person. With people from all over the world descending on Vancouver, scientists prepared for these... [more]

Good news for a change. USA Today reported that changes are being made to the standards established for testing of beef bought by the USDA for the National School Lunch Program. The changes will focus around stricter testing of beef for bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. According to the planned changes, beef will be sampled in fifteen minute intervals as it moves through the production... [more]

A Montebello, California meat packing plant is under criminal investigation. According to the Food Safety Inspection Service, Huntington Meat Packing, Inc., which has previously had to recall beef products due to E. coli O157:H7 contamination is in violation of certain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points. Because of these violations, an added 4.9 million pounds of beef and veal products are... [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]

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... [more]

As emergency teams rushed to Haiti to provide supplies and medical assistance to injured victims, one of the main health issues that arose was maintaining the safety of the water supply. A January 13, 2010 CNN article entitled “Haiti Earthquake Could Trigger Medical ‘Perfect Storm,’” describes how animal feces and decaying bodies can contaminate available water causing diarrheal infections... [more]

Food irradiation is a possible method of getting rid of harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, on meats, fruits, and vegetables. According to the CDC, this process can reduce consumer contact with Camplylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7, which can lead to foodborne illnesses and potentially fatal complications such as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). For example, meat can be bombarded with gamma... [more]

A 2008 study published by the Agricultural Research Service examined E. coli O157:H7 and beef tenderization.  The article  discussed the concerns that E. coli bacteria is frequently associated with ground beef, but has also been seen in mechanically tenderized beef products. The study examined the depth into which the tenderizing blades could insert E. coli bacteria into the meat. This was done in... [more]

Yesterday’s issue of the SheboyganPress.com discussed a recent Wisconsin E. coli outbreak.  According to the newspaper, several children living in very close proximity to each other contracted E. coli.  Unfortunately, one child developed a potentially fatal complication known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome or HUS, which resulted in several surgeries, transfusions, and dialysis.  HUS, often linked... [more]