WHO - a Global Approach to Food Safety
WHO was a presence at the recent China Food Safety Conference. Here is too hoping more governments - FDA and USDA - spend a bit more time thinking about food safety as a global issue.
Millions of adults die every year from bugs and toxins in what they eat, according to new WHO data that shows food-borne diseases are far more deadly than the UN agency previously estimated.
The research faults unsafe food for 1.2 million deaths per year in people over the age of five in Southeast Asia and Africa — three times more adult deaths than the Geneva-based WHO had thought occurred in the whole world.
“It is a picture that we have never had before,” WHO food safety director Jorgen Schlundt said in an interview. “We now have documentation of a significant burden outside the less than five group, that is major new information.”
Ailments linked to contaminated food and water have long been seen as a major threat to young children, who can dehydrate quickly. But the Danish veterinarian and microbiologist said the risks to older populations had been grossly underestimated.
Older children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to severe illness from major food and water-borne diseases such as salmonella, listeria, E. coli, hepatitis A and cholera.
Food safety experts are now seeking to measure the burden of such afflictions in people over the age of five in the Arab world, Latin America and elsewhere in Asia including China.
And already, Schlundt said, health officials are recognizing the need to confront the most dangerous types of contamination in their industrial regulations and trade standards.
“Literally millions are dying every year and we know that a lot of these could be prevented,” he said. “There is a realization that instead of doing what we did in the past, in the future we should really focus on where the problems are.”
Many of the contaminants that have made headlines in recent years in the US, such as salmonella and E. coli, also exist in poorer countries but are not monitored as carefully there, Schlundt said.
Health authorities in developed countries are now much more able to document food safety risks because of tests that can quickly connect disparate cases of illness to tainted foods such as lettuce, peppers, spinach and beef.
But the WHO expert said that some ailments have also become more prevalent in the food system alongside the globalization of the food supply and the rise of modern food production methods, which can propagate ailments quickly and on a large scale.
“There are certain pathogens that have increased over the last 20 or 30 years. Some problems clearly have moved and become bigger because of the ways that we produce,” he said.
Simple steps can cut the levels of chemicals and toxins in foods, such as avoiding conditions where mould can grow, Schlundt said. Farming techniques can also root out microorganisms from the food chain and parasites can be wiped out by targeting their hosts and transmission patterns, he said.
Because it is now clear that some foods are more vulnerable to certain food-borne ailments than others, health officials are well placed to focus their energies on monitoring areas posing the highest potential disease risk, Schlundt said.
Another vital part of the food-borne disease fight is having consumers take precautions in the way they prepare foods, and ensuring patients and health workers take symptoms such as diarrhea seriously as a risk across population groups.
“Many of the deaths that we see in developing countries, if they had been treated at the right time, they would not have died,” Schlundt said.
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Rhode Island health officials said 15 students from Lincoln Middle School suffered diarrhea after a trip to Camp Bournedale in Cedarville Massachusetts last week. Two of the students tested positive for 
According to news reports, the Rhode Island Department of Health was notified Monday of several sixth grade students from Lincoln Middle School with diarrheal illness. 
Andrew Zajac of the Los Angeles Times penned what I hope to be correct – 
According to an online textbook on bacteriology:
Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), today warned consumers not to eat Del Monte whole cantaloupe sold at Northern California and Nevada Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods and Food Source stores between October 5 and October 16, 2009 because the cantaloupe may be contaminated with Salmonella. Raley’s, which owns Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods and Food Source stores, is voluntarily recalling 1,120 cartons of Del Monte whole cantaloupe after routine testing detected Salmonella. No illnesses have been reported from these products.
Nebraska Firm Recalls Beef Tongues That Contain Prohibited Materials 
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From the GAO:.png)
The California Department of Public Health warned consumers not to eat “Queen Victoria” and “Tubby” bunched spinach because they may be contaminated with salmonella, which can cause serious illness. The 12-count and 24-count spinach bunches were bound with a twist tie which says “PLU 4090 UPC 33383-65200.” The twist tie associated with the “Queen Victoria” label has the Queen Victoria logo on it. The twist tie for the Tubby label has a generic spinach band on it.
According to press reports, eleven children and two adults came down with 
Muranaka Farm Inc. is recalling 1,005 cases of parsley distributed in 10 states, including Illinois, because it may be contaminated with 
The following products are subject to recall:
Two California produce shippers have recalled thousands of cases of green onions supplied by an onion farm in Mexicali, Mexico, over fears the onions could be contaminated with salmonella.
A laboratory test by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) found Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Kellogg’s Buttermilk Eggo Waffles manufactured at an Atlanta plant. The sample was taken as part of a routine inspection by GDA of the Kellogg’s plant at 5601 Bucknell Dr. SW, Atlanta. While no illnesses have been reported, out of an abundance of caution, Kellogg is voluntarily recalling a limited number of the following products produced in the same facility:.png)
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Today is August 13 – seven (7) days into a Class 1 Recall. The FSIS is supposed to make available to the public the names and locations of retail consignees (grocery stores, etc.) of meat products recalled by a federally-inspected meat establishment (like this one) if the recalled product has been distributed to the retail level. The rule applies to Class I recalls (like this one). The information is supposed to be posted on the FSIS website, generally within three (3) to ten (10) working days, following the announcement of the recall.
In cooperation with Beef Packers, Inc.’s (Cargill's) recall of 825,769 pounds of ground beef linked to an outbreak of 
California, Colorado and Wyoming health officials said this afternoon that at least 27 people have reported illnesses tied to recalled ground beef tainted with antibiotic resistant .png)
Colorado State health officials, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and several other state health departments have been investigating an outbreak of infections that are resistant to several commonly used antibiotics. To date, cases of illness have been identified in 11 states. The majority of cases, 21 illnesses, have been reported in Colorado in the following counties: Arapahoe (3), Broomfield (3), Denver (3), Douglas (1), Elbert (1), Garfield (1), Jefferson (5), Mesa (1), Pueblo (1) and Weld (2). Four people have been hospitalized..png)
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The ground beef products were distributed to retail distribution centers in Arizona, California, Colorado and Utah. Of Colorado’s confirmed cases, the state has epidemiologic data showing that 15 of 16 confirmed illnesses (out of a total of 21 confirmed cases) purchased their ground beef product at Safeway Stores. Point of purchase information is not available on the other Colorado cases. At this time, it is not known whether the product was distributed to other stores.
I had a nice chat this morning with .jpg)
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing guidance for inspectors to begin conducting routine sampling of bench trim for E. coli O157:H7. Bench trim is the fat and meat trimmed from cuts like steaks and roasts as they are prepared in processing plants. Bench trim is normally added to other meat used in ground beef. FSIS inspectors generally perform tests for E. coli O157:H7 in the slaughterhouse on most meat used in ground beef, however, bench trim had not previously been tested by the inspectors, creating a potentially dangerous hole in the government’s food-safety regimen..png)
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Congressman John D. Dingell gave an impassioned speech today on behalf of HR 2749 - The food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. I think it should be renamed the Dingell Bell, errr, Bill. Anyway, the guy is a stud.
Once again contaminated food products are shipped to US grocery stores and consumers become ill. The US pubic continues to be the "canary in the coal mine." As FSIS reports:.png)
From a Company Press Release:
Side effects after receiving IG may include: muscle stiffness, redness, warmth, pain and tenderness at injection site. Fever, chills, headache, weakness and nausea may occur. If these symptoms continue beyond 48 hours or become bothersome, contact your physician. If skin rash, swelling of hands/feet or face, or trouble breathing develop, contact your doctor immediately. IG may interfere with the immune response to live vaccines, so discuss this with your physician before taking it. If you take IG, you will not be able to donate blood for several months..png)
Sweet Superior Fruit LTD. Co. of McAllen, Texas, is recalling 104 crates of fresh cilantro (coriander) because the product has the potential to be contaminated with .png)
From KWQC - .png)
From the Quad-City Times - .png)
Media reports, press releases and comments from the Rock Island County Health Department, Illinois Department of Health and the McDonald’s in Milan at 400 W. 1st St. on U.S. 67 franchise owner are a bit light, but we know that at least 19 patrons of the restaurant are ill with Hepatitis A - 11 have been hospitalized..png)
From our site .png)
It appears that the Rock Island Health Department is going to begin IG shots for the public on Monday – seems a bit odd it would not start sooner? Did they have adequate supplies of the IG shots?
I was “struck” how easy it is to spend a few moments on Google to see what a problem McDonalds seems to have with Hepatitis A infected employees. I really do not get it? Why risk it? The Hepatitis A vaccine is a 2 dose series with the 2 doses given at least 6 months apart for lasting protection against infection by the Hepatitis A virus. The CDC site has good information about the disease and the vaccine: .png)
John David at WQAD
Hepatitis A is one of five human hepatitis viruses (hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E) that primarily infect the liver and cause illness. An estimated 80,000 cases occur each year in the U.S., although much higher estimates have been proposed based on mathematical modeling of the past incidence of infection. Each year, an estimated 100 persons die as a result of acute liver failure in the U.S. due to hepatitis A, but the rate of infection has dramatically decreased since the hepatitis A vaccine was licensed and became available in the U.S. in 1995..png)
According to the Chaffee County Public Health Department, two children in Salida were recently diagnosed with Escherichia coli (E. coli) and at least three others have reported symptoms that could indicate the illness..png)
On the eve of the July 4th weekend, The Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) released a press release that it was:
I was watching again this morning the Vice President and Secretaries Vilsack and Sebelius talking about the Food Safety Working Group as I was responding to emails from people concerned about yet another recall of a staple food product. This time the Plainview Milk Products Cooperative Salmonella Recall.
So, how does PFGE work? When a sample is taken from either a piece of meat or poultry that is contaminated with a dangerous form of bacteria, such as Salmonella, it can be cultured to obtain and identify the bacterial isolate. If a person consumes some of the contaminated product, and becomes infected as a result, a stool sample can then be cultured to obtain and identify the bacterial isolate. These bacterial isolates are then broken down into their various component parts creating a DNA "fingerprint".
Batch/UPC Code: Anaheim peppers sold since June 11, 2009..jpg)
It really is a bit hard to imagine what today was like for JBS Swift and the FSIS - checking the list of retailers that might have received the 210 Tons of .png)
Sometime in the early hours of 
Together with traceback information and laboratory data, the recall is being expanded as a result of FSIS' cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in an ongoing investigation into 24 illnesses in multiple states, of which at least 18 appear to be associated. 
Together with traceback information and laboratory data, the recall is being expanded as a result of FSIS' cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in an ongoing investigation into 24 illnesses in multiple states, of which at least 18 appear to be associated. This investigation prompted the company to re-examine the effectiveness of their food safety system for the April 21 production of beef primals, and they are conducting this recall out of an abundance of caution as the safety of the products produced on a portion of that day could not be assured.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned consumers not to eat two brands of pistachios repacked by Orca Distribution West Inc. of Anaheim, California. The brands are:
Alfalfa sprouts products sold in Southern California Gelson’s and Whole Foods Market grocery stores were recalled today by the California Department of Public Health because of possible salmonella contamination.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with .png)
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DENVER--The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is urging Coloradans not to eat raw Nestle Toll House cookie dough because of possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7.
Over the last few weeks we have been investigating E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in several states. All seemed unconnected. However, common food items were uncooked Nestles Toll House Cookie Dough, Strawberries, Fruit Roll-ups and Ground Beef. The vast majority reported eating Toll House Cookies..png)
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When a sample is taken from either a piece of meat or poultry that is contaminated with a dangerous form of bacteria, such as .png)
Snow Creek Meat Processing, a Seneca, S.C., establishment is recalling approximately 75 pounds of fresh beef trim products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today..png)
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From A New York State Agriculture Press Release:.jpg)
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It is not 5:00 AM and I am on my way to the airport in Seattle (again) heading to New York for a speech to Excess Insurance Executives. FSIS just released another recall of meat. It appears this time it is BEFORE people were sickened. So much for test and hold. Here are the details:
Here are a few more examples:.png)
Abigail Fenstermaker's family is asking for help, after their 7-year-old died from E. coli complications last week. .png)
Harlan Spector of the .png)
In a .png)
complications – likely .png)
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Many benign strains of E. coli (Escherichia coli) live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other mammals. Infection with one of the toxic strains, most notably E. coli O157:H7, can cause serious illness, organ failure, and even death. E. coli is often contracted by consuming food or beverage that has been contaminated by animal (especially cattle) manure. The majority of foodborne E. coli outbreaks has been traced to ground beef; however leafy vegetables, sprouts, unpasteurized dairy or juice products or even water can become tainted with the pathogen..png)
ILLINOIS FIRM RECALLS GROUND BEEF PRODUCTS DUE E. COLI O157:H7 CONTAMINATION
I just finished a day at the Louvre, walking along the Seine and trying to find the French I learned in college, as I ordered a meal with my daughter at a cafe on a busy avenue. I then was brought back to what Spring is really all about - another Cantaloupe recall due to .jpg)
Bruce Clark, my law partner and Patti Waller, my Epidemiologist, were in Argentina this week. The conference topics were:
I am going to take a side trip to Paris for a couple of days after the Food Safety Conference here in London and the news that French supermarket giant Carrefour has been accused of violating a number of regulations related to the labeling and food safety of meat products caught my eye. Carrefour has been charged with providing the incorrect country of origin, putting less meat in packages than stated on the labels, storing frozen products at temperatures that were too high and selling products after their sell by date..jpg)
Meet .png)
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* 10-pound poly bag of "A & G Brand BULK GROUND BEEF"
The WHO reports this morning that a farm worker in Canada has infected a herd of pigs with swine flu, the first documented case of the virus being passed from humans to animals. The herd of pigs tested positive for the H1N1 virus after the worker returned from Mexico with the disease. The herd has been quarantined (and the worker?). Up to 200 pigs had been infected at the Alberta Farm, and that both the man and pigs are recovering, adding that the virus did not seem to have spread. 
Wisconsin officials are recommending residents throw away bags of spinach distributed by a Milwaukee food processor after some tested positive for salmonella.
New Hampshire state health officials say a mixer used to make pudding was the source of salmonella that sickened children at a camp in Madison this month. The Stone Environmental Camp voluntarily closed last week, and is looking forward to reopening, now that the source has been identified..jpg)
FDA will be warning consumers (when?) not to eat raw alfalfa sprouts, reminding the sprouting industry of the importance of following FDA’s guidance on sprouts safety, and reminding restaurants/retailers to obtain sprouts from sprouters following the guidance. As part of this investigation FDA will be reviewing how closely sprouters are complying with the FDA guidance to assess whether changes in the guidance are needed. Information to date suggests a number of sprouters have not been following the recommended control measures..gif)
Both of these resources provide guidance regarding the sources of contamination, ways to eliminate potential contamination and methods to detect contamination when it happens. FDA believes strongly in these recommendations and “will consider enforcement actions against any party who does not have effective preventive controls in place, in particular, microbial testing.”
Colorado does not allow the commercial sale of raw milk. But a recent law allows for cow-shares, which Marler, speaking generally, said is being used to sidestep commercial-sale bans..jpg)
California state health department officials say the salmonella outbreak has sickened 33 people throughout northern and central California, and nine others in Nevada, Oregon and Washington. No deaths have been reported. Officials say most of the people sickened appeared to have been exposed to salmonella while eating at Asian restaurants that used the company's spices.The company said salmonella was isolated from an open container of Lian How white pepper.
The FDA announced additional and expanded items that are being recalled. The following recalls have been announced because the products may be contaminated with salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems:
So, between reading my emails, I read the 1984 JAMA Article by G. A. Merrill, S. B. Werner, R. G. Bryant, D. Fredson and K. Kelly.png)
In 2008, a total of 18,499 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection in .png)
Among age groups of persons infected with the following pathogens, the percentage of persons hospitalized was highest in persons aged >50 years: Listeria (86.2%), STEC O157 (53.3%), Vibrio (45.6%), Salmonella (40.0%), Yersinia (37.5%), Shigella (27.9%), Cryptosporidium (24.5%), and Campylobacter (20.5%). Among age groups of persons infected with the following pathogens, the case fatality rate (CFR) was highest in persons aged >50 years: Listeria (19.5%), Vibrio (7.4%), Salmonella (1.3%), Shigella (0.4%), and Campylobacter (0.4%). For infection with STEC O157, the CFR was highest among children aged <4 years (2.8%); for infection with Cryptosporidium and Yersinia, the CFR was highest in persons aged 20--49 years (1.3% and 3.0%, respectively)..jpg)
Sprouts processed by Bridgeport-based Amalgamated Produce Inc. have been recalled after a sample collected from a supermarket in New York tested positive for an organism that can cause serious infections. The sprouts also were sold at Stop & Shop, ShopRite and Price Chopper stores in Connecticut.
The Rhode Island Department of Health advises consumers of sprout products that may be contaminated with .png)
According to News West Nine.png)
The .png)
Surveillance Methods.png)
A main-effects, log-linear Poisson regression model (negative binomial) was used to estimate statistically significant changes in incidence of infections in 2007 compared with previous years. This model accounts for the increase in the surveillance population and for variations in incidence among sites. The average annual incidence for 2004--2006 and for 1996--1998 (1997--1998 for Cryptosporidium), the first years of surveillance, were used for comparison. The estimated change in incidence (relative rate) between 2007 and the comparison periods was calculated, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). For HUS surveillance, 2000--2001, the first years of surveillance, was used as the comparison period. Changes over time have not been analyzed for non-O157 STEC, partly because changes in clinical laboratory practices might have affected incidence reporting..png)
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to eat certain lean ground beef sold at Canada Safeway because it may be contaminated with 
The dairy was issued a public health order late yesterday afternoon..png)
AP reports that Federal officials confirm they have found traces of salmonella in a central California pistachio processing plant that sparked a nationwide recall of the nut. The Food and Drug Administration said Monday state and federal inspectors found the bacteria in "critical areas" at Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella. FDA officials also say they found areas at the facility where raw and roasted nuts could become cross-contaminated with salmonella. The plant temporarily shut down after recalling more than 2 million pounds of nuts last week. The company has now expanded its recall to include all raw and roasted pistachios from its 2008 crop.
According to the AP reports of a CDC study, a chemical used in rocket fuel was found in samples of powdered baby formula, and could exceed what is considered a safe dose for adults if mixed with water also contaminated with the ingredient, a government study has found. The study by scientists looked for the chemical, perchlorate, in different brands of powdered baby formula. The chemical has turned up in several cities' drinking water supplies. It can occur naturally, but most perchlorate contamination has been tied to defense and aerospace sites.
More than six tons of egg rolls stuffed with chicken are being recalled by EDS Wrap and Roll Foods LLC of Hayward. The egg rolls were sold to restaurants throughout California, the government says. Meanwhile, the company at the center of a recall of the pepper used in the egg rolls has expanded its recall of still more spices. The egg rolls contain black pepper spice products that may be linked to a multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service says Saturday. The following products are subject to recall:
Union International Food Co. of Union City is recalling 15-pound and smaller size packages of its Lian How brand dry spices, 30-pound boxes and smaller size packages of Lian How crushed chili, Uncle Chen brand black pepper (whole and ground) in 5-oz. retail containers, Uncle Chen white pepper (whole and ground) in 5-oz. retail containers and 5 pound plastic bags and the Uncle Chen brand Wasabi powder in 2.2 pound foil bags, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Salmonella poisoning from baby poultry purchased as pets or for backyard flocks represents an ongoing public health concern and causes multiple hospitalizations each year.
According to 
Elizabeth Weise, of USA TODAY reported this morning that 
Now for Watergate/Nutgate:
The more things change, the more things stay the same. Now FDA officials are investigating Commack, New York-based Setton International Foods Inc., which shares key staff and packages food with its sister plant in central California, Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., that earlier this week recalled 2 million pounds of nuts over fears of possible salmonella contamination. Here is the 411, the poop (sorry):.jpg)
“Last month, New York agricultural authorities discovered nearly two dozen dead cockroaches, rodent droppings and one live cockroach on an ingredient rolling rack inside the Commack plant. It failed its state health inspection…. State inspectors went back for a visit Wednesday to swab the plant and take food samples to be tested for salmonella and other pathogens as part of the pistachio recall,… The test results are pending.”
But the fact that we are relying on companies to voluntarily test and then voluntarily report positive results should disturb us all. As Garance also wrote: “Neither the Food and Drug Administration nor state laws require food manufacturers to test the safety of their products…. You can call it a fluke, you can call it good luck, or you can call it good judgment on the part of Kraft," said Dr. David Acheson, FDA's assistant commissioner for food safety. "They're not required to tell us. They did and we're moving on it."
According to the .jpg)
Public health officials today warned consumers not to eat ground white pepper processed, packaged or distributed by Union International Food Company in Union City, California until further notice. Ground white pepper products from the UIFC have been linked to a multi-state outbreak of salmonella, the health officials said. The discovery of salmonella in food samples collected from restaurants and food distributors prompted these recommendations.
According to an FDA Press Release, Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc. announced today that it is voluntarily recalling from nationwide distribution specific lots of bulk roasted shelled pistachios and 2,000 lbs., 1,700 lbs., 1,800 lbs. and 1,000 lbs. tote bags of roasted inshell pistachios sold to wholesale customers due to potential contamination with the Salmonella organism.
The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all distribution of processed pistachios and will issue a voluntary recall involving approximately 1 million pounds of its products. Because the pistachios were used as ingredients in a variety of foods, it is likely this recall will impact many products. In addition, the investigation at the company is ongoing and may lead to additional pistachio product recalls.
The contaminated pepper was packaged under the “Lian How” and “Uncle Chen” labels and sold to restaurant suppliers and markets – much of it going to Chinese and Vietnamese establishments. 
California public health officials are warning people not to eat a dozen spices packaged at a Union City plant under the Lian How brand name. A salmonella outbreak that has sickened 33 people in California and nine people in three other states caused the Union International Food Company to voluntarily recall of its pepper, paprika, curry, onion powder and other products. .jpg)
Health officials now say more than 100 people reported getting sick after eating at an Applebee's restaurant in suburban Syracuse.
For the last two years I have had the honor of speaking in China on food safety and civil litigation - the ability for all consumers to stand up to corporations who poison them and their children. I will be back again this year in 
Among seven patients who were sexually active, six patients also complained of painful intercourse. This report highlights the potential risks of eating contaminated ocean fish. Local and state health departments can train emergency and urgent care physicians in the recognition of CFP and make them aware that symptoms can persist for months to years.
The FDA announced today that the Georgia Nut Company is recalling certain bulk wholesale and retail products containing shelled pistachio nuts that have the potential to be contaminated with the Salmonella organism. The Company said it identified the potential as a result of a rigorous sampling and testing regimen it conducted with respect to shelled pistachios provided by a third-party supplier.
The Onondaga County Health Department has confirmed seven cases of food-borne illness in people who recently ate at the Applebee’s in Camillus. County Health Commissioner Dr. Cynthia Morrow says all seven people had contracted Shigellosis. The Shigella bacteria, Morrow says, is associated with consuming water or food contaminated with fecal matter..gif)
Hartford City health department officials are interviewing cafeteria workers at Aetna's downtown Hartford office, where five employees have been stricken with E. coli in the last three to four weeks. The source of the outbreak has yet to be determined, and the cafeteria remains open, company spokesman Fred Laberge said today. The most recent case occurred about a week ago, when an employee went to the company's wellness center complaining of feeling ill. He was taken to an emergency room and admitted to hospital but has since been released, Laberge said. The other employees did not require hospitalization.
A review and analysis of empirical and historical evidence pertaining to tobacco and food industry practices, messages, and strategies to influence public opinion, legislation and regulation, litigation, and the conduct of science.
The eggs were sold at Costco stores as Kirkland Organic Brown Eggs in 18-count cartons with the following expiration and plant codes: April 1 062, 35 P1776 and April 8 069, 35 P1776..jpg)
The outbreak that's sickened people in four Midwest states has been tied to SunSprout Enterprises' sprouts that were distributed to grocery stores and restaurants. The Omaha company "voluntarily" recalled its products..png)
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I talked to 
FDA PRESS RELEASE
About 50 cases from Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and South Dakota have been linked to the outbreak, according to a recent press release from the South Dakota Department of Health. Nebraska has identified 15 ill. South Dakota has identified five cases from five of its southeastern counties and that more cases were pending. Iowa's Department of Public Health (IDPH) said in a March 6 statement that it had confirmed 18 cases, along with two probable ones. On the same day, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) said it had identified five cases linked to the outbreak, along with one other pending case..jpg)
Some 400 people have fallen ill after eating at world-renowned restaurant The Fat Duck, which was temporarily closed last month due to a food poisoning scare, officials said on Friday. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the number of cases reported at top chef Heston Blumenthal's eatery had grown after media coverage of the outbreak. Some have reported having fallen ill as early as late January. When the problem initially surfaced at the end of February, it was reported that between 30 and 40 people had complained of illness, including diarrhea and vomiting, over a two to three week period. Likely cause - 
According to the Spokane Newspaper, Washington State health investigators are still attempting to solve several cases of food-borne infections that have caused several pregnant women to lose their babies since January. They suspect the women in Yakima, Klickitat and King counties ate unpasteurized cheese that was contaminated with 
According to the 
Cysticercosis (SIS-tuh-sir-KO-sis) is a potentially serious disease of humans caused when people ingest the eggs of a tapeworm that lives in the intestines of other humans. This tapeworm, Taenia solium, is sometimes called the “pork tapeworm” because people get this type of tapeworm from eating undercooked pork. If a pig swallows the eggs of the tapeworm (passed in human feces), the pig doesn’t develop a tapeworm in its intestines. Instead, it develops microscopic capsules (called cysts) in its muscles that contain larval tapeworms. These cysts don’t make the pig sick, but people who eat raw or undercooked pork products containing these cysts develop the tapeworm and begin passing eggs in their stools as well..jpg)
The recalled peanut butter and peanut paste were distributed to institutions, food service industries, and private label food companies in 24 states, the province of Saskatchewan in Canada, Korea and Haiti for further processing. The U.S. states are the following: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia. In addition, affected product was used as an ingredient in other products that may have been distributed in other states..jpg)
Yesterday, "[t]he FDA urged consumers on Saturday to avoid eating peanut butter and products that contain it until they can determine the scope of an outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning that may have contributed to six deaths." Also, on the .jpg)
I sent off a press release this morning asking for the FDA to do its job and recall peanut butter likely implicated in this recent Salmonella outbreak, and then I leave Minneapolis for the short flight to Seattle. So, guess what happens when I am in the air - The FDA does its job. When I landed I got this email"
The FDA, and the states of Minnesota, Georgia and Connecticut, confirmed Salmonella contamination in peanut butter manufactured at the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) facility that ships peanut products to 85 other food companies, including Kellogg.
Efoodalert
Laboratory tests by the 
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Today, the 
A lot of cases of 5 to 50lb tubs of peanut butter travel a long way. According to 
Previously, three deaths in this outbreak had been confined to Minnesota and Virginia along with 425 people sick in 43 states. Now another dead person is counted in 
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Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), a peanut processing company and maker of peanut butter for bulk distribution to institutions, food service industries, and private label food companies, today announced a voluntary recall of peanut butter produced in its Blakely, Georgia processing facility because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. All product affected was produced on or after July 1, 2008, specific to the lot numbers and descriptions listed below..jpg)
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According to Mr. Parnell - "I have been making peanut butter for 30 some years and I have never had any issues with salmonella, that's for sure. I have spent over thirty years building up this business and a reputation."
From a Self-serving Press Release:
In yet another post on its website, King Nut Companies, a distributor of peanut butter manufactured for them by Peanut Corporation of America, today announced a recall of peanut butter distributed under the King Nut label.
Investigation of Outbreak of Infections Caused by Salmonella Typhimurium 2008-2009
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a breakdown on Friday of the number of cases in each of 42 states involved in a nationwide outbreak of salmonella poisoning that has stricken at least 399 people:
CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) - Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an ongoing multistate outbreak of human infections due to Salmonella serotype Typhimurium.
The reported incidence of 
The following products are subject to recall:
A multi-state investigation with over two dozen states and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has yet to identify the source of an outbreak of 
You can’t even trust Bambi anymore..jpg)
Foreign Press announced today that Chinese police detained the father of a child sickened by tainted milk apparently to prevent him and other parents from holding a news conference to complain that proposed compensation for their ill children is too low, a lawyer said Friday. The news conference, scheduled for Friday, was called off after organizer Zhao Lianhai was picked up Thursday, said Li Fangping, a lawyer for some of the parents. He said Zhao was being held at a Beijing hotel. "The purpose was to prevent the parents from holding a news conference," Li said, adding that 10 parents had planned to participate. The parents "said the compensation was unilaterally set by the companies with no participation from victims' families," Li said. "They thought the amount of compensation was quite low." Under the plan, families whose children died would receive 200,000 yuan ($29,000), while others would receive 30,000 yuan ($4,380) for serious cases of kidney stones and 2,000 yuan ($290) for less severe cases, according to state media. Another 200 million yuan ($29 million) would go to a fund to cover bills for lingering health problems.
Eating fresh cheese at a fair in Kansas was the only recent exposure associated with illness. Of 101 persons who ate the cheese, 66 percent became ill, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report said. On October 26, 2007, a family health clinic nurse informed the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that 
AP and the Haphazard Gourmet Girls report that the companies whose tainted milk products sickened nearly 300,000 children and were blamed in the deaths of six will likely pay 1.1 billion yuan ($160 million) in compensation to victims' families. Details of the compensation plan came shortly after trials began for 15 people on charges related to the production and sale of melamine, an industrial chemical added to milk to falsely boost protein readings in quality tests. The 22 companies blamed in the scandal will make a one-time 900 million yuan ($131 million) cash payment to victims. The remaining 200 million yuan ($29 million) would cover bills for lingering health problems, the paper said, citing an unnamed source from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission.
Lovely, something else to worry about. What would Pooh do? .jpg)
Last week I warned, 
Food contamination, whether accidental or intentional, has been a sad, recurrent theme throughout recorded history, going back some 8000 years and described in the Old Testament. However, a new dimension has been added in this new millennium: globalization and international agribusiness allow problems with the food supply to spread around the planet all too quickly. The most recent, and still evolving, example is the epidemic of melamine poisoning stemming from tainted infant formula in China. More than 294,000 children in China have reportedly been affected by adulterated formula. Over 50,000 were hospitalized, and at least 6 died. Some are said to remain in the hospital. There are also reports that children in other parts of Asia — such as Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam — were also affected. Those who became ill had ingested melamine-contaminated powdered infant formula; some 22 brands were implicated. In the wake of this stunning discovery, the contaminated formula was taken off the market, but the story of melamine contamination is far from over.
Solano County public health officials are investigating the death of a Dixon child from an E. coli infection. Officials are not releasing a description of the child to protect the victim's identity. The source of the infection is unknown, Solano Public Health Education Manager Robin Cox said. Solano County Environmental Health Services staff surveyed Dixon food establishments but there were no reports of customer or employee illnesses that might be due to E. coli, Cox said. All area hospitals have been notified to inform the Solano County Public Health Department if they see any patients with symptoms of E. coli. No new cases have been reported, Cox said. A second juvenile was brought into the emergency room with symptoms of diarrhea but was released and is doing very well at home, Cox said. Stool test results on the second child are pending and there is no indication so far the second minor has E. coli infection, Cox said.
1. Wonderfarm "Successful" Assorted Biscuits (UPC:8935001262091).jpg)
According to the 
I received an article from one of my readers today on the risks of raw milk – 
Cambrooke Foods® is announcing a voluntary recall of all batches of the following products:
For the above-listed Imitation Cream Cheese products, Listeria monocytogenes was detected through routine batch testing of product at a company facility before it was sent to customers. These batches of Imitation Cream Cheese products were destroyed. While no reports of adverse events have been reported with any product shipped to our customers, we are taking the precautionary step to recall all Imitation Cream Cheese products, regardless of batch number.
Only 
Days after Europe was well on the way recalling all the little piggies who went to market, today Rupari Food Services, a Deerfield Beach, Fl., establishment, is recalling approximately 41,020 pounds of fresh pork products that may be contaminated with dioxins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. FSIS was notified by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) that routine surveillance tests indicated the presence of dioxin in pork products that were sent to multiple importers of record in the United States. FSIS believes the probability of adverse health effects related to consumption of these pork products to be low, and concurs with the conclusions of a risk assessment conducted by FSAI.
Tommy Moloney's Inc., a Long Island City, NY., establishment, is recalling approximately 4,041 pounds of fresh pork products that may be contaminated with dioxins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced today. FSIS was notified by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) that routine surveillance tests indicated the presence of dioxin in pork products that were sent to multiple importers of record in the United States. FSIS believes the probability of adverse health effects related to consumption of these pork products to be low, and concurs with the conclusions of a risk assessment conducted by FSAI.
I know economic times are tough, but human illnesses associated with dog and cat food? No, really, it is unlikely, but possible, that people consumed it out of necessity. However, it is more likely that ii is cross-contamination during the feeding of your pet. So, the next time your kid refuses to feed the dog, they are just trying to protect themselves. Well, on to the 
Investigators initially identified 70 cases, mostly in children. As a result of these findings, on August 21, 2007, Mars Petcare US announced voluntary recalls of selected sized bags of two brands of dry dog food, both manufactured by the company at its plant in Everson, Pennsylvania. The recall was based on microbiologic testing by FDA, which found unopened bags of the two brands contaminated with the outbreak strain. Other brands of dry dog and cat food produced at the same facility were not included in that recall. The Everson, Pennsylvania, facility ceased operations during July--November 2007 to enable cleaning, disinfection, and renovation, and resumed normal operations in mid-November 2007..jpg)
China said Monday that a total of 294,000 children had fallen ill from consuming dairy products tainted with the industrial chemical melamine, with 154 of them still in serious condition. In a statement on its website, the health ministry also indicated the number of dead may rise from the four previously announced, saying that six deaths since September 10 may be linked to the consumption of melamine-laced milk. The health ministry's total number of children sickened amid this year's scandal was a more than five-fold rise from the government's previous figure given in September of 53,000.
E. sakazakii
Late last summer, Rosemary Alvarez of Phoenix thought she had a brain tumor. But on the operating table her doctor discovered something even more unsightly -- .jpg)
I had a great meeting yesterday with ConAgra Foods. I met with a number of food safety employees and ConAgra’s Food Safety Board last time I visited Omaha a few months ago. According to its website and from what I can see, “ConAgra Foods has developed rigorous food-safety practices in all our facilities and manufacturing processes.” It goes on:
According to press reports.jpg)
According to Canadian press reports, Romaine lettuce is the “prime suspect” in an E. coli outbreak in southwestern Ontario that has sickened at least 26 people, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Tuesday. The federal agency and health officials in the Niagara and Halton regions say preliminary tests suggest romaine lettuce is the likely source. There are 128 confirmed or probable cases of E. coli O157:H7 in the Niagara, Halton, Guelph and Waterloo regions. Laboratory testing has determined that cases in the four health units have the same DNA fingerprint.
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During 2006--2007, CDC, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and multiple state health departments investigated reports to PulseNet† of persons infected with a strain of S. Schwarzengrund with an indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern. Investigators initially identified 70 cases, mostly in children. As a result of these findings, on August 21, 2007, Mars Petcare US announced voluntary recalls of selected sized bags of two brands of dry dog food, both manufactured by the company at its plant in Everson, Pennsylvania. The recall was based on microbiologic testing by FDA, which found unopened bags of the two brands contaminated with the outbreak strain. The Everson, Pennsylvania, facility ceased operations during July--November 2007 to enable cleaning, disinfection, and renovation, and resumed normal operations in mid-November 2007..jpg)
Investigators from the Colorado Department of Health reported today that the outbreak of E. coli among eight children in the Evergreen area may be linked to elk droppings. Specimens obtained from elk droppings in the mountain region have tested positive for the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria that was identified in the children, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said.
The Onondaga County Health Department reports that 20 cases of Salmonella, scattered from late August through October 19, have been linked to Plainville's Nature's Fare Restaurant. Several of those sick were hospitalized. As of Thursday afternoon, the restaurant shut down, and will stay closed for a week. Owner Mark Bitz says it will give them time to clean the place top to bottom, test their employees, and also give the restaurant a chance to review its practices. "It's hard to know -- we may never know the exact source, but certainly all steps being taken by the facility are going to ensure this isn't going to happen again," says Onondaga County health commissioner Dr. Cynthia Morrow..jpg)
Eight children, between the ages of 4 and 12, have tested positive for the same Escherichia coli bacteria but officials don't know the connection. The children live, or have been, in the Evergreen area but don't attend the same school. Two of the children remain hospitalized as a result of infections from the potentially deadly bacteria. State and County health officials are investigating deer or elk droppings, along with other behaviors in the Evergreen area where the children might have all come in contact. The first infection case involving the E. coli O157: H7 strain was reported in July and the last case was reported on Oct. 22, health officials said..jpg)
Cases of confirmed E. coli contamination have authorities looking at a Pitt County petting zoo as a possible source. The Pitt County Health Department tells WITN News that the petting zoo in question is located at Briley's Farms on Highway 264. The Beaufort County Health Department says two children infected with E. coli visited the same zoo and the Pitt County health authorities shut down the that portion of Briley's as a precaution. The other parts of Briley's are not effected, Beaufort County says it is working with health care providers to identify and test additional suspected cases.
With E. coli illnesses in nearly every state being reported over the last month, it comes as no surprise that California is getting hit again. Health officials say two San Diego County elementary school children have been sickened by E. coli. The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency said Wednesday that the girls, ages 7 and 9, have been hospitalized and are expected to recover. The agency says both girls attend Carmel Creek Elementary School, near the city of Del Mar. Public health officer Wilma Wooten says the school has not been named as the source of the bacteria, but school staff are cooperating with their investigation..jpg)
According to press reports, Hancock County Illinois Health Department learned from the Illinois Department of Public Health that lab results confirmed the existence of the .jpg)
Southeast Iowa health officials have confirmed a third case of a virulent type of E. coli in the region. The latest case involving the bacteria was confirmed Monday by the Des Moines County Health Department. In Lee County last week, health officials confirmed two cases (one being a death). The Iowa Department of Public Health says it has not determined the source of the illnesses. Across the border in Hancock County, Ill., another possible case of E. coli was reported last Wednesday, but remained unconfirmed by state health officials.
According to the Seattle Times, fourteen unconfirmed cases of .jpg)
Sharon Salyer of the Everett Herald Writer reports that the Snohomish Health District is investigating at least six confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7. She reported that Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer, said Friday evening that while at least six cases have been confirmed, health officials still don't know what caused people to become ill..jpg)
Contaminated ground beef that sickened at least 10 people in Vermont has been traced to the Vermont Livestock, Slaughter and Processing Co. in Ferrisburgh, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Thursday. The USDA has recalled more than a ton of ground beef processed at the plant and distributed to restaurants, food services and institutions in Vermont and Plattsburgh, N.Y., the USDA said.
The 2,758 pounds of ground beef subject to the recall was shipped in 5-pound packages labeled VT BURGER CO GROUND BEEF. They carry the number EST 9558 inside the USDA mark of inspection and a lot code of 090508A, 090808A, 091208A, 091908A or 092208A. The products were shipped two packages per box and were produced on Sept. 5, 8, 12, 19 and 22. The problem was discovered through a joint investigation with the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and the state Health Department..jpg)
“Our laboratory results tell us that each person became ill from the same source,” said Deputy State Epidemiologist Susan Schoenfeld. “And our epidemiology investigation has found that source to be ground beef that was contaminated before it was distributed to, prepared, and served at a few restaurants in Vermont.” 
I would like to give a "shout-out" to our gun-totting, Caribou Barbie, Governor from our somewhat neighboring state (they can see Russia - we can only see Canada) that she is needed back North with gun in hand. The Anchorage Daily News reported that federal public health officials have confirmed a link between peas grown on a Palmer farm this summer with a bacterial outbreak that made 99 people sick. Laboratory findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta determined that the outbreak of Campylobacter diarrhea can be traced to eating uncooked peas that came from a field frequented by sandhill cranes. Droppings from the cranes most likely contaminated the peas, said Dr. Tracie Gardner, an epidemiologist with the Alaska Division of Public Health. These cranes have clearly been "palin' around with terrorists" and need to be shot. I'll "betcha" you can shoot them from a plane..jpg)
I am humbled to see Chinese lawyers standing up for the victims of this melamine tragedy despite being pressured to walk away..jpeg)
Wesley Medical Center has confirmed two kids have died at the hospital due to E. coli contamination in the last few days. No connection or sad coincidence?
Eight people have been diagnosed with food-borne illnesses possibly linked to undercooked ground beef. Health officials say none of people sickened required hospitalization. The .jpg)
This letter is intended to ensure that members of the United States food manufacturing industry are aware of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) serious concern about the possibility that foods or food ingredients produced in China and exported to the United States may be contaminated with melamine or its analogues. FDA has information indicating that melamine and its analogues have been added to milk produced in China and that milk contaminated in such a fashion has been used to manufacture infant formulas and other dairy-based products. As of this writing, Chinese authorities are reporting that in China approximately 53,000 infants have suffered illnesses, with 13,000 hospitalizations and four deaths. Approximately 158 of the victims thus far have suffered acute kidney failure. Chinese authorities have disclosed that, in addition to discovering contaminated infant formulas, melamine has been discovered in 24 of 1202 samples of milk and yogurt. There is little information at this stage to determine when the contamination might have begun or how widespread the contamination might be. However, Chinese authorities report that melamine was found in infant formula, milk, yogurt, and ice cream manufactured by 22 companies in China. The Chinese investigation into this matter is ongoing.
cordon bleu," "chicken Kiev," or chicken breasts stuffed with cheese, vegetables or other items. This is the sixth outbreak in recent years according to the 
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Ontario's top doctor has issued a public alert concerning two
Fourteen cases of salmonellosis reported in Minnesota since July have been linked to raw frozen chicken entrees, the .jpg)
“Food borne illnesses are often difficult to trace, as we saw this summer with the tomato-pepper 
Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) is currently investigating a cluster of .jpg)
Initial investigations indicate that on-campus dining is not related to the illness. BCPH staff is working closely with CU and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to identify the source of the outbreak and any additional cases among students and the public. According to the 
Although still not quite in the right time zone, I was able to get a few lawsuits filed in the US, but still thinking how I might help the US Balance of Trade Deficit with China, by exporting a few lawsuits as well. It seems, however, that US Industry has beat me to Canada. The bagged and shredded lettuce the hospital used to make chopped salad for patients came from the same company (Aunt Mid's) that is believed to have distributed tainted lettuce in Michigan, Windsor-Essex County Medical Officer of Health Dr. Allen Heimann said at a news conference..jpg)
The number of deaths from a .jpg)
On August 21, 2008 I urged Governor Schwarzenegger to 
The family's attorneys, Zhang Xingkuan and Ji Cheng of Beijing's Deheng Law Office, declined to disclose the names of their clients. Mr. Zhang said they are seeking compensation of 150,000 yuan ($21,900) to cover hospital fees, travel expenses, time off from work and other costs. The attorney said that the parents claim the boy developed kidney stones from drinking Sanlu, and that they had more than 90 empty bags of Sanlu milk powder their son had consumed as proof.
The number of confirmed 
In 2006 Cadbury withdrew a million chocolate bars, which were found to be contaminated with a rare strain of salmonella. Now faced with another recall of its product, Cadbury says it will consider taking action against a manufacturer in China if some of its products are found to be contaminated with the chemical melamine. The chocolate producer has withdrawn its Chinese-made chocolate over fears the sweets contain traces of the industrial substance.
At the same time Cadbury considers its options, what options do Chinese parents have against Sanlu and Fonterra for injuries caused by the products containing melamine? So far, according to Chinese reports, those products have caused the deaths of four infants in China and have made 55,000 Chinese babies ill, some 14,000 still hospitalized. This is assuming that we actually believe these number are really not a gross under-count.
The number of confirmed 
Well, I left at 4:00 PM on Saturday from Beijing after a week, landing in Seattle at 12:00 PM on Saturday - don't ask. While in the air, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began alerting consumers that seven Mr. Brown instant coffee and milk tea products are being recalled by the Taiwanese company, King Car Food Industrial Co. Ltd., due to possible contamination with melamine. King Car Food Industrial Co. used a non-dairy creamer manufactured by Shandong Duqing Inc., China, which was found to be contaminated with melamine. The recalled products are:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also alerted consumers that QFCO, Inc. recalled White Rabbit Candy Because of Possible Health Risk. QFCO, Inc. of Burlingame, California is recalling White Rabbit Candy because it may be contaminated with Melamine. Product was distributed to the states of CA, GA, HI, IL, MN, NY, OR, TX, WA through wholesale distributors to retail stores.
Although the source of bagged, chopped iceberg lettuce delivered to Aunt Mid's had yet to be identified. A good guess would be California this time of the year, specifically the Salinas Valley (
The Michigan Department of Community Health is issuing a public health alert after dozens of cases of E. coli surfaced. It now appears the E. coli outbreak is linked to iceberg lettuce that came from a wholesale distributor.
Some of the 26 Michigan cases consumed shredded or chopped iceberg lettuce in restaurants or institutions purchased from Aunt Mid's Produce Company, a Detroit-based wholesale distributor; and other distributing outlets could be identified. Product trace back and additional tests results are still in progress.
World-wide, Food safety chiefs have ordered 
Sanlu, now you have done it. Two gorillas, both from Hangzhou Wildlife World in eastern Zhejiang province and aged one and three, had been diagnosed with crystallization in their urine, according Chinese media. The news came with the revelation that Chinese officials, suppressing "bad news" during the Olympic games, had ordered a cover-up of the scandal. .jpg)
The number has gone up again - now it's 26 cases of salmonella that the Amarillo City Health Department is investigating linked (again) to the IHOP on Western in Amarillo. The IHOP will be closed (again) until the Health Department does its inspection.
Well, .jpg)
As if Sanlu does not have enough to worry about - A pathogenic bacterium has been found in milk powder that was also contaminated with melamine, according to a report in the Lanzhou Daily. The report said that the Administration of Quality and Technology Supervision in Gansu Province issued an emergency notice on September 21, saying that Sanlu’s older and younger infant formulas contained .jpg)
The same genetic strain of E. coli bacteria that sickened students at Michigan State University this month has been linked to at least eight other cases throughout Michigan, including one at the University of Michigan and five at the Lenawee County Jail. The findings have led investigators to believe that the patients all got ill from ingesting the same contaminated food source. So, what do two universities and a county jail have in common?
Meat can become contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 in many ways. There are some regulations in place to detect that contamination and prevent tainted meat from reaching the marketplace, but tri-tip beef can fall through a dangerous regulatory loophole. Larger cuts of meat like tri-tips are sold as ‘intact meat’ even though they are intended to be cut into smaller pieces (like steaks or stew meat). The meat industry claims that the USDA allows it to sell contaminated intact cuts of meat, but the Sizzler case illustrates E. coli O157:H7 regulations on intact meat are ill-defined, and that’s a recipe for contamination. It makes no sense..jpg)
On our way back from the Great Wall today (lead by our great guide Wang He - “Mike”), we stopped into a small village, Bei Shi Cao Cun, and I was able to buy Yili’s and Nestle’s baby milk. Sanlu's shelf was empty. So, what would Mao have done to have prevented this crisis? Mao once said: