I flew from Seattle to Yakima in the storm and fog to give a presentation to the Washington State Department of Health on how to manage the risk of E. coli O157:H7 infections in petting zoos. I have posted the PowerPoint at www.fair-safety.com.
E. coli’s effects linger
This article at the Monterey Herald gives a comprehensive assessment on the problems faced by the lettuce and spinach industry of Salinas over the next year – a solution needs to be found.
From the article:
Bill Marler, a partner in the Seattle law firm Marler Clark, who has represented victims in high-profile foodborne illness
E. coli Cases Prompt Legal Action
Listen to this story…
NPR – News & Notes, October 13, 2006
Spinach, tainted by E. coli bacteria, has reportedly made about 200 people in two dozen states sick. At least three people are said to have died from the outbreak. Lawmakers and advocates are demanding federal authorities do more to eliminate the contamination. Farai
E. coli in Salinas Valley – No Surprise
I am not surprised that they found cows and cow poop near spinach fields – I found the same a week ago traveling through Salinas:
From AP story of this morning: E. coli Find Shows Difficult Mix Of Cattle, Spinach
Bill Marler, a Seattle lawyer representing 93 people who got sick eating spinach
USDA withheld information from state in E. coli investigation
According to FREDERIC J. FROMMER of the Associated Press, Federal officials refused to tell Minnesota authorities which of two beef plants were linked to a fatal E. coli outbreak last summer, according to a state report. One woman died and at least 17 people were sickened from the E. coli outbreak in the Longville
Smoking Cow Pie
FDA Statement on Foodborne E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak in Spinach
Positive Test Results
FDA and the State of California announced today that test results from the field investigation of the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in spinach are positive for E. coli O157:H7. Samples of cattle feces on one of the implicated ranches tested positive
Tougher Regulation of State’s Produce Industry?
More thoughts on yesterday’s hearing:
I have concerns despite the 4 deaths and over 200 illnesses that some politicians may simply fiddle while more spinach and lettuce is grown and more customers are sickened and more businesses go bankrupt (watch for that next). Yesterday’s hearing was more telling by who did not attend – most
Food Agencies Slammed For E. coli Outbreak
Kudos to Senator Dean Florez – If we ever needed a smart politician, here he is. As reported today by ABC TV:
A Central Valley lawmaker says state and federal food and health agencies had ample warning but didn’t do enough to prevent E. coli outbreaks like the ones that have sickened nearly 200
Company blaming victims for Botulism poisoning
This company should not be pointing fingers at anyone but itself. After all, who is more to blame? The person who sold the juice or the person who drank the juice? I know where I stand.
Tim Warner, spokesman for Bolthouse Farms, the company whose carrot juice has been traced as the source of botulism
Mexico Bans US Lettuce – Who is next?
The Associated Press reported today that the Mexican government banned imports of U.S. lettuce on Monday after a California company recalled some of its lettuce when irrigation water tested positive for the E. coli bacteria.
In a press statement, the Health Department also said the government had ordered stores to remove U.S. lettuce from their