A new study conducted at the University of Markansas at Fayetteville has found that Salmonella and other foodborne pathogens attach to reusable plastic containers used in industry and remain even after cleaning. Those pesky biofilms are, again, the culprit. Scientists looked at the materials used to make these food containers that are used to transport fruits and vegetables to grocery stores. In the study, researchers let Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7 bacteria to grow on the reusable plastic container (RPC) surface and then cleaned and sanitized the containers according to industry standards. In all cases, the material still had biofilms that protected the bacteria even after cleaning. Biofilm is a kind of slime made of protein that surround the bacteria, … [Read more...]
Stonyfield Recalls Yogurt for Coliform Bacteria
Stonyfield is recalling 188 6-packs of YoBaby Peach/Pear Cups because they may be contaminated with coliform bacteria called Klebsiella pneumoniae. Coliform bacteria are an indication of insanitary water and possible fecal contamination. The yogurt cups were sold in Target and Walmart stores. The recalled product is 4 ounce YoBaby Peach/Pear cups with the code date June 5, 2014 and UPC number 052159701161. They were shipped to Target stores in Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina; and to Walmart stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware. The recalled products were only available for purchase on or after April 23, 2014. Internal testing by the company discovered the problem. Stonyfield's distribution network has been … [Read more...]
Natural Organics Recalls Mouthwash for Bacterial Contamination
Natural Organics, Inc. is recalling Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Mouthwash after they were notified by its contract manufacturer Integria Healthcare of Australia that one lot of the product failed microbial contamination testing. The contaminant, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, could pose a serious health risk, especially to immune compromised people. The mouthwash was distributed nationwide to retail stores in Trinidad and the Philippines. It was packaged in clear plastic bottles with green and white labeling. The label reads "Thursday Plantation, Tea Tree Mouthwash, 8.45 fl oz./250 ml." The product number is 6710, the lot number is 9810. No reports of illness have been received to date. If you purchased this product, do not use it. Return it to the place of purchase for a refund. … [Read more...]
Study Finds Diet Alters Human Gut Microbiome
Bacteria in our guts play an important role in health. An imbalance in gut bacteria can be linked to everything from inflammatory bowel disease to reduced immunity, changes in behavior, and weight problems. A new study published in Nature finds that diet can rapidly alter our gut microbiome. An animal-based diet increases the abundance of bile-tolerant microorganisms and decreases the levels of bacteria that metabolize plant polysaccharides. A plant-based diet Foodborne microbes from both meat and plant-based diets colonize the gut. These microbes can include bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The animal-based diet let bacterium linked to inflammation and intestinal diseases flourish. While long-term dietary changes influence the gut microbiome, scientists did not think that the … [Read more...]
