Archive for February, 2007
A visit to a petting zoo can be a fun family outing, but it may not be without risks. A number of farm animals, including cows, sheep and goats, may be infected with E. coli O157:H7, a dangerous strain of this pathogen. Humans are at risk of contracting E. coli from physical contact with these animals.
Initial symptoms of E.coli O157:H7 infection include severe abdominal cramps and watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may become bloody and can lead to dehydration. Sometimes there are no symptoms at all. There is usually little or no fever. Symptoms generally resolve in 5-10 days, but serious complications may ensue. Children and the elderly are at greatest risk of developing complications.
To minimize the risk of contracting E. coli at petting zoos, state fairs and other locations where people come in contact with live animals, follow these recommendations:
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Other hand-to-mouth activities should not take place around animals, including the use of pacifiers, bottle feeding, smoking, etc.
For more information about E. coli food poisoning, visit the pages of this blog and the website www.foodpoisoning.com.
February 22nd, 2007
BJ’s announced a voluntary recall of Wellsley Farms brand mushrooms purchased at the wholesale club February 11-19. The mushrooms may contain trace amounts of E. coli.
The E. coli contamination was discovered during routine produce inspection by BJs. Officials there immediately notified the FDA of their discovery.
The product lots in question include Wellsley Farms fresh sliced mushrooms, 20 oz. [SKU 016377]; Wellsley Farms fresh white mushrooms, 24 oz. [SKU 016375]; Wellsley Farms fresh portabella caps, 16 oz. [SKU 016573]; Wellsley Farms fresh baby bella caps, 10 oz. [SKU 016572]; and Wellsley Farms fresh white mushrooms, 10 oz. [SKU 016376].
There have been no reports of illnesses linked with consumption of the mushrooms, BJ officials said. The mushrooms are no longer for sale, and BJs will provide a refund to purchasers.
Consumers seeking more information should call the chain at 1-800-BJS-CLUB.
For more information about E. coli food poisoning, visit the pages of this blog and the website www.foodpoisoning.com.
February 21st, 2007
According to a Rutgers University survey out today, consumers are still worried about eating spinach and other leafy green vegetables as a result of the E. coli outbreak and subsequent spinach recall last September.
“Clearly, the recall had a bigger effect on the public than just throwing away a few bags of spinach,” said William Hallman, Director of the Rutgers Food Policy Institute, which conducted the survey. “Consumers’ confidence in the safety of other produce seems to have been affected.”
The Food Policy Institute in New Brunswick, NJ, conducted the telephone survey over a 3-week period in November. Using a nationwide sample of 1200 people, the institute set out to determine what consumers knew about the recall and foodborne illness, and how that knowledge has affected their current food habits.
Judging by the survey’s results, American consumers were well aware of the spinach recall (87% of those interviewed), and most stopped eating spinach at that time. Hallman noted, however, that there was some confusion about what types of spinach were involved in the recall, where that spinach was grown and whether or not the recall had ended by November. Interestingly, over half of the individuals surveyed have not started eating spinach again.
Surveyed individuals also had a hard time identifying the symptoms of illness resulting from E. coli food poisoning. A large number of people (87%) knew that abdominal cramps were a common symptom, but only 64% were aware that bloody diarrhea is a major symptom of the illness. A large majority of respondents included nausea, vomiting and fever in the symptom picture, though these reactions are not usually associated with the disease.
“Most Americans know little about the symptoms of foodborne illnesses,” said Hallman, “E. coli infections are no exception.”
To read the complete press release about the survey, visit the Rutgers Food Policy Institute on-line at: http://foodpolicyinstitute.org/.
For more information about E. coli food poisoning, visit the pages of this blog and the website www.foodpoisoning.com.
February 5th, 2007
When Robert E. Brackett, Ph.D. Director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on November 15, 2006, he reiterated FDA’s commitment to improving the safety of fresh produce.
According to Brackett, FDA is still investigating the significant E. coli outbreak caused by contaminated spinach in September 2006. The FDA and the State of California advised the produce industry “to develop a plan to minimize the risk of another outbreak in all leafy greens, including lettuce,” Brackett testified.
Brackett said that FDA plans to continue researching technologies that will make it possible to detect the presence of foodborne pathogens more quickly. The agency will also continue to evaluate thermal treatment and irradiation of fresh produce in an effort to protect the food supply from pathogens.
Brackett also outlined the steps that FDA had taken in mid-September as the spinach outbreak unfolded.
“During the outbreak, on an almost daily basis, FDA held press conferences (that included spokespersons from the State of California), issued press releases, and posted updates on our website to limit the spread of the outbreak by keeping the public informed,” Brackett said.
An investigation of the cause of the outbreak by FDA, CDC, USDA and the State of California continues. Environmental and facilities samples have been collected, and inspections have taken place. “In addition, investigators have reviewed and evaluated animal management practices, water use, and the environmental conditions that could have led to contamination of the spinach,” Brackett added.
To view the complete testimony presented by FDA, visit http://www.fda.gov/ola/2006/foodsafety1115.html.
To learn more about recent food poisoning outbreaks please see Staph Food Poisoning Lawyer and Claudia Sanders Food Poisoning Lawyer.
February 1st, 2007