Foodborne illnesses that derive from Salmonella and E. coli may be connected to eating contaminated meat and chicken products. Meat and chicken products most often become contaminated during the butchering and processing phase. This is because E. coli and Salmonella bacteria live inside an animal’s digestive system. This includes cows and chickens and the egg-ducts of chickens. However, lately a... [more]

The BP Gulf Oil Spill disaster on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig has significantly impacted the economy of states such as Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi. Not only are oil industry employees out of work, but the seafood industries have been dramatically impacted by this disaster, too. That is why it was nice to hear some positive news on the seafood industry front. Some seafood, including... [more]

An Idaho Correctional Center (south of Boise) has found E. coli bacteria in the water supply. It appears that the E. coli bacteria have forced the Idaho Correctional Center to boil water in order to prevent the spread of E. coli illnesses. E. coli is not only a foodborne illness. E. coli can also be a waterborne illness. An individual who drinks E. coli contaminated water or a beverage made with water... [more]

At a recent Northwest Michigan fair, three children are believed to have contracted E. coli poisoning. Although the source of the E. coli has not yet been identified, there is talk that it could be related to food, water, or even a farm animal. As fall quickly approaches, school fairs will soon arrive. This means cotton candy, candy apples, hay rides, and petting zoos. While petting zoos can be fun,... [more]

Typhoid fever is relatively unheard of outside of third world countries. However, this week, California and Nevada both reported incidences of Typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is an illness caused when an individual comes in contact with the bacteria Salmonella typhi. Salmonella typhi is a bacteria that is typically acquired from contaminated food or water. Salmonella typhi can also be found in contaminated... [more]

  Giardia and Cryptosporidia are protozoan parasites. These parasites can be found in different types of water sources including pools, lakes, rivers, and waterparks. Last month, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a statistical analysis of Giardia and Cryptosporidia cases. According to the CDC’s analysis, the number of reported Giardia cases in the U.S. between 2006 and 2008... [more]

Two Colorado restaurants have been implicated in a Hepatitis A outbreak.  According to the Grand County Public Health Department both the Sagebrush BBQ & Grill and Max & T’s Bar and Grill in Colorado are sources of a Hepatitis A scare. The foodborne illness outbreak centers around a Hepatitis A infected employee. The Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is an acute liver disease, noted by fatigue, nausea,... [more]

According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the Pew Charitable Trusts is conducting research regarding the correlation between food safety and environmental protection. This trust is a nonprofit organization which conducts research and surveys in order to better understand emerging policy issues, including food safety and the environment. Recently, the organization surveyed dozens of California farmers... [more]

Mentally, I have been planning a camping trip for several years now. Sleeping under the starry skies and hiking through some of the most pristine forests this country has to offer. I have looked at backpacks with lightweight frames, moleskin to prevent blisters, outdoor cooking equipment, and, of course, a coffee pot. One interesting thing that I have looked at are water treatment tablets. After researching... [more]

While on nearly a daily basis (compliments of seemingly endless recalls) we are painfully reminded of just how unsafe our food supply really is, we are periodically reminded in equally graphic terms that our health and safety is not just threatened by food borne illness; there is also the ever present threat of waterborne illness. Testing of well water in a community just outside of Midland Texas has... [more]