In the wake of E. coli outbreaks traced to spinach and lettuce last year, and in many years prior to 2006, the United Fresh Produce Association is asking for federal regulations to set standards for produce safety and the Government Accountability Office listed food safety as a high-risk area. In an article from the Philadelphia
Second Taco E. coli Outbreak Traced to Central Valley
Investigators for the FDA and CDC have indicated that the E. coli-contaminated lettuce that sickened customers at Northeast Taco Bell restaurants in November and December of 2006 came from California’s Central Valley. The Taco Bell outbreak was reported just before an outbreak at Taco John’s locations in the Midwest, which was also traced to
California legislators speak out on E. coli contamination in leafy greens
The Hollister Free Lance is reporting that California Congressman Sam Farr has introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives to assist spinach growers and processors in recovering from lost sales after last fall’s E. coli outbreak.
On Wednesday, the California state Department of Food and Agriculture announced that it approved a food safety
E. coli outbreak at Connecticut nursing home
The Connecticut Post Online reports that residents at an Astoria Park nursing home have become ill with E. coli infections. Astoria Park health officials are investigating the source of the outbreak, which has sickened at least ten residents.
City Health Director Maian Evans said "other people ate the food and didn’t get sick," in regards
Taco Bell to Report 4th Quarter Earnings
Taco Bell will report earnings for the 4th quarter of 2006 on Monday, and financial analysts are questioning whether earnings will fall short of expectations following the E. coli outbreak traced to Taco Bell restaurants in the Northeast last December.
The OC Register reports that the time of the incident, the survey by Sandelman &
California growers approve plan to improve food safety
The LA Times and the San Jose Mercury News both report that the California Department of Food and Agriculture approved a farm industry plan to establish voluntary safety standards for leafy vegetables, such as lettuce and spinach.
The plan, which was approved by 70 percent of California’s leafy greens packagers and distributors, establishes a “seal
Marler Clark E. coli client interviewed for story on food safety
SCNow.com recently interviewed Erica Sturkie, a Marler Clark client who became ill with an E. coli infection after eating contaminated spinach during the 2006 E. coli outbreak. The outbreak was traced back to spinach grown in the Salinas Valley.
“I worked out five to six days a week. I ran everyday — ate really healthy.
Tips for preventing E. coli infection
Phil Lempert, the Today Show’s food editor, wrote a recent article that appeared on MSNBC.com. The article, "Protect your family from Salmonella and E. coli," gave some useful pointers for preventing E. coli infection:
As we have heard in the headlines recently, it is critical to understand that meat is not the only source
Antibiotic treatment for E. coli not recommended
The CDC’s Patricia Griffin recently commented on antibiotic treatment of E. coli infection in a September, 2006 Clinician Outbreach and Communication Activity conference call, during the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak traced to spinach grown in California’s Salinas Valley:
If you strongly suspect E. coli O157, there are some concerns about antibiotic treatment. Whenever a person
Michigan E. coli study: 2001 – 2005
The February issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes a report by the Michigan Department of Health. The report shows the findings from surveillance of shiga toxin-producing E. coli, including E. coli O157:H7, between 2001 and 2005.
A surveillance system used different detection methods to estimate prevalence