A Times Editorial says the surprising part of Tommy Thompson’s recent warning on the vulnerability of our imported food supply isn’t that he waited to deliver it with his resignation, or that he failed to act on the knowledge while in office. What is baffling is that the Health and Human Services secretary didn’t recognize the government’s repeated failure to protect Americans from dangerous food grown and distributed right here at home.
“I, for the life of me, cannot understand why the terrorists have not . . . attacked our food supply, because it is so easy to do,” Thompson said, adding that someone could tamper with imported products from the Middle East.Continue Reading A tainted recall process
December 2004
Health officials probe outbreak of E. coli in Hunterdon
The Hunterdon County Democrat reported today on the New Jersey-County and state departments of health, Hunterdon Medical Center and the federal Food and Drug Administration investigating an outbreak of 10 cases of E.coli in late October and early November.
Health Department Director John Beckley said the primary focus of the investigation is Chili’s restaurant in…
The food industry digests a challenging year
Elizabeth Weise of USA TODAY says the food industry held its breath this year. The dawn of 2004 followed the grim discovery of the first case of mad cow disease in the USA:
This was a year of reaction and preparation for those who are responsible for keeping the food supply safe. While continuing efforts to curtail disease outbreaks from such sources as E. coli and salmonella, health authorities and food safety regulators faced the mad cow threat and concerns about bioterrorism.
Continue Reading The food industry digests a challenging year
BEEF INDUSTRY | Did Americans underreact to mad cow disease?
Roxana Hegeman of the Associated Press reports that animal-feed rules designed to prevent future cases of mad cow have not been strengthened.
After the nation’s first case of mad cow disease was discovered, government regulators and industry officials worked quickly to reassure consumers it was safe to eat a steak. A year later, you would never guess there was any concern at all – the nation’s appetite for beef has remained strong.
But consumer advocates say there’s a problem with that lack of reaction from the public – it might have diminished the effect of the mad cow case on improving food safety. Aside from several steps taken shortly after a single cow in Washington state was found infected with the disease, reforms that were promised remain unfulfilled.Continue Reading BEEF INDUSTRY | Did Americans underreact to mad cow disease?
Health investigators determine cause of E-coli outbreak
Elizabethtown Bladen Journal reports that nearly two months after cases of E-coli began springing up among state residents, investigators with the North Carolina Division of Public Health have determined the source of the majority of the cases.
Since most of the cases involved individuals who had attended the North Carolina State Fair in October, investigators…
North Carolina E coli outbreak traced to petting zoo
CIDRAP News also reports on the recent outbreak of E coli O157:H7 infections traced to the petting zoo at the North Carolina State Fair:
The NCHHS concluded that most patients fell ill as a result of visiting the petting zoo, though some probably picked up the infection elsewhere at the fair.
“In light of…
E. Coli Outbreak Source Identified
David Sinclair of The Pilot reports that North Carolina public health investigators have identified a petting zoo from Chatham County as the source of an E. coli outbreak that sickened 108 people who attended the State Fair in October.
Investigators with the N.C. Division of Public Health announced Thursday that Crossroads Farm Petting Zoo was…
Petting Zoo Sued Over E. coli Outbreak
NBC17.com has also reported on the lawsuit Marler Clark filed against the Crossroads Farm Petting Zoo:
Three families whose children contracted E. coli after visiting the North Carolina State Fair filed suit Friday against the owners of a Chatham County petting zoo that state health officials have pinpointed as the source of the disease
…
Petting zoo sued over state fair E. coli outbreak
As the Associated Press reported today, Marler Clark is suing Crossroads Farm petting zoo and its owners on behalf of four young children who became seriously ill from E. coli bacteria after visiting the North Carolina State Fair.
One family had two preschool boys who became severely ill, with one boy hospitalized for 10…
State Fair Petting Zoo Blamed For E. coli Outbreak
State health officials announced Thursday that they have pinpointed a petting zoo as the source of an E. coli outbreak that sickened dozens of people that attended the State Fair two months ago.
Through extensive environmental testing and genetic fingerprinting, public health investigators have linked many of the cases to the Crossroads Farm Petting Zoo.…