As the country faces yet another recall of lettuce due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination, it is apparent that federal and state health officials and the lettuce industry have not taken adequate measures to prevent contamination.
Professor Daniel Fung, a food microbiology professor at Kansas State University, has spent 30 years studying and teaching students about E. coli and other foodborne pathogens. In an interview with Channel 49 (Topeka, Kansas), Professor Fung states, “When this strain [E. coli O157:H7] occurs, it is very serious, because many people can get very sick and children can die.”
The interview of Professor Fung continues:
Professor Fung said no matter if the latest E.Coli outbreak reaches Kansans, consumers should be concerned.”Every death is too many,” he said.
It isn’t his job to find out what caused this latest recall of Dole’s packaged lettuce. However, he teaches his students where the FDA should start looking.
“Make sure that the manure didn’t go into the field at the same time,” he said. “If you can control the water supply better, then you will have a better chance of controlling the micro-organisms.”
To watch the interview of Professor Fung, please click here.
If Professor Fung is correct—and we think he is—the E. coli-contamination problem is resolvable:
- Lettuce and other leafy greens should not be grown near cattle ranches (this is being done) or in areas where there is frequent flooding (this is also being done).
- Irrigation water should be frequently tested for E. coli O157:H7.
- Farmers not complying with the above should be fined and/or face criminal charges.
Pritzker | Ruohonen is a leading E. coli litigation law firm. To contact an E. coli lawyer at the firm, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm’s online consultation form.
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