It seems that there are more recalls and outbreaks than ever, touching every community. As time and resources are short, I wanted to make you aware of new and retooled resources on food safety, foodborne illness, and food policy.
Marlerblog: Is my view as a food safety insider and litigator. I use my extensive
This CDC report summarizes epidemiologic data for the 1,097 reported outbreaks occurring during 2007 (the most recent finalized data), which resulted in 21,244 cases of foodborne illness and 18 deaths.
Outbreaks – Single Etiologic Agent
Among the 497 outbreaks (12,767 illnesses) with a confirmed single etiologic agent, bacteria caused 259 (52%) outbreaks with 6,441 (50%) illnesses, viruses caused 199 (40%) outbreaks with 6,120 (48%) illnesses, chemical agents caused 34 (7%) outbreaks with 141 (1%) illnesses, and parasites caused five (1%) outbreaks with 65 (1%) illnesses.
Norovirus was the most common cause of illness, accounting for 193 (39%) of the confirmed single-etiology outbreaks and 97% of those caused by viruses.
Salmonella was the second most common, causing 136 (27%) confirmed single-etiology outbreaks and 53% of those attributed to bacteria. Among Salmonella serotypes identified, Enteritidis was the most common, causing 28 confirmed single-etiology outbreaks with 555 illnesses.
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) caused 40 of the confirmed single-etiology outbreaks (15% of those attributed to bacteria), of which 39 were caused by serogroup O157.
Outbreak – Single Food Commodity Continue Reading Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report – 2007 Surveillance for Foodborne Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
A recently published study surveyed the extant scientific literature and noted that post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS) is a common clinical phenomenon first described over five decades ago. The Walkerton Health Study further notes that:
Between 5% and 30% of patients who suffer an acute episode of infectious gastroenteritis develop chronic gastrointestinal symptoms despite clearance of the inciting pathogens.
In terms of its own data, the “study confirm[ed] a strong and significant relationship between acute enteric infection and subsequent IBS symptoms.” The WHS also identified risk factors for subsequent IBS, including: younger age; female sex; and four features of the acute enteric illness—diarrhea for > 7days, presence of blood in stools, abdominal cramps, and weight loss of at least ten pounds. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder characterized by alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea, both of which are generally accompanied by abdominal cramping and pain. In one recent study, over one-third of IBS sufferers had had IBS for more than ten years, with their symptoms remaining fairly constant over time. IBS sufferers typically experienced symptoms for an average of 8.1 days per month.
As would be expected from a chronic disorder, IBS sufferers required more time off work, spent more days in bed, and more often cut down on usual activities, when compared with non-IBS sufferers. And even when able to work, a significant majority (67%), felt less productive at work because of their symptoms. IBS symptoms also have a significantly deleterious impact on social well-being and daily social activities, such as undertaking a long drive, going to a restaurant, or taking a vacation. Finally, while a patient’s psychological state may influence the way in which he or she copes with illness, and responds to treatment, there is no evidence that supports the theory that psychological disturbances in facts cause IBS or its symptoms.
Reiter’s SyndromeContinue Reading Long-term Salmonella Infection Complications – Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Reiter’s Syndrome
In the middle of far too many Salmonella Outbreaks, here is Salmonella Information in one easy place.
Crack Defense Lawyer, Alan Maxwell, and I will be co-chairing again this conference on “Advanced Strategies for Tackling the Underlying Science and Defending Against Complex Food Contamination Claims.” The two-day conference will be on Wednesday, October 27 to Thursday, October 28, 2010 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States. On the registration
According to a Press Release – Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling 2,825 cases of Veggie Lovers Salad with a Product Code of I208 and Use-by Date of August 10, 2010 out of an abundance of caution due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. No other Fresh Express salads are included in the recall. No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall.
The precautionary recall notification is being issued due to an isolated instance in which one package of Fresh Express Veggie Lovers Salad yielded a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test collected and conducted by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Only the Veggie Lovers salad products with a Product Code of I208 and a Use-by Date of August 10 are included in the recall. Retailers and Consumers who have any remaining product should not consume it, but rather discard it. Consumers can find the Product Code and Use-by Date in the upper right-hand corner of the package. Although limited in number, the cases were distributed by Fresh Express to 13 states with the potential for redistribution by customers to an additional 14 states.Continue Reading Fresh Express Announces Recall of Veggie Lovers Salad Due to Listeria Risk
Over the last months we have been following the in and out of state raw milk regulations. I thought I would share the thirteen pages as a link here – Survey of State Raw Milk Product Regulations. I would appreciate any comments or corrections.
Last week I gave a speech at IAFP – “Is Ingredient a 10-letter word for financial disaster?” At the time we had been monitoring what appeared to be a nationwide Salmonella outbreak involving two rare strains – Baildon and Hartford. We were somewhat unclear as to the source, but several of the people who contacted us did eat at Taco Bells in the days before they became ill, however, some either could not recall or believed that they had not. But, then came the CDC’s mysterious announcement of “Mexican Restaurant A” as part of a 21 state outbreak and things became clearer. Yet, again, however, even the CDC commented that ill people may not have eaten at Taco Bell. Given that people who became ill with either strain ate at various restaurants AND not at Taco Bell, that damn 10-letter word keeps popping back up – “ingredient!”
Here are Taco Bell ingredient outbreaks that we have been involved in during the last 10 years:Continue Reading Taco Bell Salmonella Outbreak – Perhaps Ingredient is a 10-letter word for financial disaster?
So far since January there have been 15 recalls and/or outbreaks involving raw milk products sickening 101 people. There have also been 3 recalls and/or outbreaks involving pasteurized milk Queso fresco cheese sickening 5. Download full chart with references.
I spoke to Ms. Luna a hour or so ago about “Irvine-based Taco Bell [being] the prime suspect in a nationwide food scare that has sickened more than 150 people in 21 states.” Her story in part:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said victims were made ill with two rare strains of salmonella over a period of time ranging from April 1 to July 19. So far, illnesses have not been reported in California. Last week, federal health officials tied the illnesses to food eaten “at a Mexican-style fast food restaurant chain.” On Monday, CDC spokeswoman Lola Russell said her agency “can’t confirm” the restaurant under investigation.
However, state health officials in Washington and Oregon, where cases have erupted, said Taco Bell restaurants are tied to the food scare. “Some [tainted] food went to Taco Bell and other places,” said William Keene, senior epidemiologist with Oregon Public Health Division, to the Register on Monday.
In fact, roughly 70 percent of the victims interviewed said they “ate at Taco Bell,” said Keene, who has been part of numerous conference calls with state and federal health officials about the salmonella probe.Continue Reading Fast Food Maven weighs in on Salmonella Taco Bell
