Category E. coli

Extension scientists to conduct new environmental study on Yuma’s produce region

Environmental factors impacting the risk of produce becoming contaminated in the Yuma growing region of Arizona are the subject of a new study. University of Arizona (UA) Cooperative Extension scientists are partnering with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Yuma growers, local irrigation districts, and the Arizona Department of Agriculture on a multi-year study of... Continue Reading Read More

Reduced on-farm biodiversity may have negative food safety impact

Dung beetles and soil bacteria on farms could help suppress E. coli and other harmful pathogens, according to research. The study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology found improved food safety may be enhanced by on‐farm biodiversity and the current view that farm simplification helps may undervalue natural resistance to human-pathogen survival. Growers are... Continue Reading Read More

Publisher’s Platform: Is it ‘reckless misconduct’ to grow, process and sell romaine lettuce?

Opinion We have a romaine E. coli case in Idaho of a young man who suffered a severe case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), was hospitalized for a month and incurred nearly $250,000 in medical expenses and lost wages. He has a risk of future kidney complications, (including a transplant), but not likely to meet... Continue Reading Read More

Scientists find promising results in study about E. coli treatment

Scientists from the University of Glasgow in Scotland are reporting they have found a way to treat E. coli O157 infections without causing serious side effects. The study, published in Infection and Immunity, looks at how the aurodox was able to block E. coli O157 infections. The medication could be used as an anti-virulence therapy for... Continue Reading Read More

Companies started shipping romaine Monday; FDA names implicated counties

Many companies in the romaine lettuce supply chain resumed shipping Monday after a week-long voluntary hiatus. Nationwide, the majority of the industry shut down and recalled all romaine products Nov. 23 at the request of the FDA. The FDA made the request, two days before Thanksgiving, in conjunction with the its announcement of a new... Continue Reading Read More

Publisher’s Platform: How does this “Romaine” acceptable? 339 with E. coli, 159 Hospitalized, 31 with Kidney Failure and 6 Deaths

Opinion 2017 and 2018 Romaine E. coli Outbreaks in the United States and Canada Total Sick – 339 Hospitalized – 159 Kidney Failure – 31 Deaths – 6 In 2017 in Canada, a total, of 42 cases of E. coli O157 illness were reported in five eastern provinces: Ontario (8), Quebec (15), New Brunswick (5),... Continue Reading Read More

Flour power: NEJM paper on 2016 outbreak

A couple of weeks ago Duncan Hines brand cake mixes were recalled because of Salmonella. Maybe it was the flour. Flour comes from dried wheat that’s milled and not heat treated (because it messes with the gluten). As the Salmonella dries … Continue reading Read More

Officials match E. coli from patients with bacteria in raw milk cheese

At least five people in British Columbia have been confirmed with E. coli infections linked to unpasteurized cheese, prompting a recall and a public warning from health officials. The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is urging consumers to discard or return to the place of purchase any Little Qualicum Cheeseworks’ Qualicum Spice cheese... Continue Reading Read More

Researchers find antibiotic resistance genes on leafy greens

Researchers from a German institute have expanded knowledge about produce harboring antibiotic resistance genes that often escape traditional molecular detection methods. These antibiotic resistance genes might evade cultivation-independent detection, but could still be transferred to human pathogens, according to a team from the Julius Kühn Institut. Fresh fruits and vegetables are increasingly recognized as a... Continue Reading Read More

Risk of E. coli, Listeria spurs warning about Polonia Sausage House products

Inspectors from Vancouver Coastal Health have discovered a local family-owned business did not use proper processing in the production of meat products including sausages and salami, which could allow for growth of potentially deadly bacteria. The health department on the West Coast of Canada has issued a public warning for eight different products from Polonia... Continue Reading Read More