E. coli Testing Could Expand Soon As Policy Advances
Within three months of the New Year, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is expected to begin testing beef trim for six additional types of shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria in a breakthrough for food safety.
Since 1994, E. coli O157:H7 has been the only type of the bug declared as an adulterant and therefore subject to testing. It will soon be illegal to sell ground beef and beef intended for grinding if it is contaminated with six other serogroups: O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145.
The pending change could be delayed depending on handling of comments from meat industry interests who are opposed to the expanded testing program. But it has the backing of President Obama’s Food Safety Working Group, which is chaired by the secretaries of agriculture and health and human services. Like other food safety reforms by the President, it is focused on prevention as a principle for building a modern food safety system.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that non-O157 STEC strains are connected with about 110,000 human illnesses annually, and food-borne O157 strains are connected with about 63,000 annually. The STEC strains recently declared as adulterants in ground beef also are found in other food, but they originate in the the guts of cattle and other animals.
Still, one of the most dangerous combination of food poisoning is STECs in undercooked ground beef, causing hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS sufferers lose kidney function and are at risk for stroke, heart attack, central nervous system invasion and severe anemia. Children under 5 years of age are in the age group most susceptible to HUS.
Arapahoe County Jail E. coli Outbreak in Colorado
Six people housed at the Arapahoe County jail have come down with E. coli poisoning prompting an investigation by the state and Tri-County Health Departments. Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson told News 9 that the jail had six confirmed cases on Friday and 14 inmates have come down with symptoms of E. coli. One inmate had to be treated at the hospital for dehydration, which if severe enough can cause high blood pressure and other complications. All of the people sickened lived in Pod 3.
The source of the outbreak is not yet known, and in cases like this involving inmates, it is best for families to hire an E. coli lawyer to help with the investigation and to protect the E. coli victims’ rights. Contact our E. coli lawyers for a free consultation.
Source: http://www.9news.com/news/local/article/228582/346/E-coli-outbreak-in-county-jail
Walnut E. coli Recall Follows Hazelnut Outbreak
A walnut E. coli recall across Canada comes just months after U.S. public health officials investigated a multi-state outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 linked to in-shell hazelnuts from Oregon.
Canadian officials dealing with the recall of President’s Choice and Reddi Snack walnuts haven’t associated the contaminated nuts with any illnesses, but the case stands as a public health reminder that nuts can carry harmful pathogens. The recalled walnuts in Canada, which were grown in the USA, may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said.
In the U.S. this spring, CDC collaborated with public health officials in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the FDA to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections from hazelnuts. Investigators used DNA analysis of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify cases of illness that may have been part of the outbreak.
Among the eight persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli, four were hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. No deaths were reported. In the hazelnut outbreak, where most of the in-shell nuts were purchased from bulk bins at retail food stores. Source tracing identified a common distributor: DeFranco & Sons in Los Angeles, California.
Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria my cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, nausea and bloody diarrhea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
Cincinnati, Ohio E. coli O157:H7 Illnesses Linked to J.B. Meats Ground Beef and Hamburger Patties
After Cincinnati, Ohio health officials found a possible link between two cases of E. coli O157:H7 and hamburgers processed by J.B. Meats and served at area restaurants, the company recalled about 72,800 pounds of ground beef and hamburger patties due to possible contamination with E. coli O157:H7. The products subject to the J.B. Meats recall are 5 and 10 pound clear packages of ground beef and ground beef patties in various size packages that were processed on and can be identified by the dates Aug. 18, 2010 through Aug. 18, 2011. J.B. Meats is a Cincinnati, Ohio establishment.
The recalled ground beef and hamburger patties were sold to restaurants in the Cincinnati area, but the company did not say which restaurants. Each clear plastic bag and label bear the establishment number “EST. 1188” within the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s mark of inspection.
J.B. Meats said it was notified on Aug. 12 of an investigation of two E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. The Cincinnati Health Department reported there were two patients who became ill on July 20 and 21 that may have resulted from ground beef consumed on July 16 and 17, the company said.
Epidemiological and microbiological evidence points to a possible link between the ground beef products produced by J.B. Meats on July 15 and the illnesses in Cincinnati, Ohio. The company said the recall is precautionary, as there has been no conclusive link between the illnesses and the ground beef produced at the facility.
E. coli O157 can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), both severe illnesses that can cause kidney failure, central nervous system damage (seizures, stroke, paralysis, etc.), heart failure, pancreatitis and death.
Michigan E. coli 0157 Outbreak Investigated by Lawyer
A Michigan E. coli outbreak has prompted a ground beef recall, and the E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen are closely following the outbreak’s development. Ground beef product from McNees Meats and Wholesale LLC has been linked to 9 cases of E. coli in Michigan, 5 confirmed and 4 probable. Six of the people sickened were hospitalized.
The products being recalled are 36 – 10 lb. Bags of McNees Ground Beef Bulk. Establishment number: EST. 33971. They were produced July 15 and July 21, 2011. They were sold in Armada, Lapeer and North Branch, Michigan and also at a retail establishment owned by McNees Meats and Wholesale, LLC. Those sickened reported consuming ground beef either at local restaurants supplied by McNees or purchased directly from the company.
E. coli Outbreak Investigation and Lawsuit Information
According to the FSIS:
FSIS was notified of an investigation of E. coli O157 illnesses on August 4, 2011.Working in conjunction with the Michigan Departments of Community Health (MDCH) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), 3 case-patients in Michigan have been identified with illness onset dates between July 18 and July 28, 2011.
The E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen have recovered millions of dollars for people sickened by E. coli and other dangerous foodborne pathogens. People who think they may be sick with E. coli should visit a healthcare provider and get tested for E. coli. People who test positive for an outbreak strain of E. coli may be able to file an E. coli lawsuit and recover expenses for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and other damages.
Contact the E. coli lawyers at Pritzker Olsen for a free case evaluation >>>
