An E. coli research program that has led to improved detection methods and food safety education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with continue.The $25 million project is investigating Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) strains that can contaminate beef. The project began in 2011. This type of bacteria can cause serious infections, which can lead to … Read more
Scientists at Western University have developed a new rapid-test system to detect E. coli O157 bacteria. This new test will help prevent recalls and outbreaks, since it can be used to discover contamination before the food leaves the plant and is shipped. The collaboration that developed this test is between Dr. Michael Rieder at the … Read more
Organizers of the Milk Makers Fest in Lynden, Washington, said one of the 45 case patients in an E. coli outbreak associated with the annual schools event remained hospitalized this week at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham. All together there have been eight hospitalizations among a case patient population dominated by first-graders from public schools … Read more
Researchers at Kansas State University are creating better ways to detect E. coli to improve the cattle industry and protect consumers. Lane Noll, master’s student in veterinary biomedical science, Dr. T.G. Nagaraja, and Jianfa Bai are leading the project. A USDA Coordinated Agriculture Project grant is funding the research. Noll has developed a molecular assay … Read more
Are rare burgers the source of an E. coli outbreak in Michigan and Ohio? Lab tests have shown that cases in both states are a genetic match and health authorities in Michigan have identified ground beef as the source as all of the Michigan cases reported eating a rare hamburger at different restaurants before becoming … Read more
E. coli O157 has sickened at least 10 people in Michigan and Ohio in what may be a multistate outbreak linked to ground beef. All of the Michigan cases reported eating a rare hamburger at a restaurant before becoming ill. The Ohio Department of Health is investigating four cases of E. coli O157, three in … Read more
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Groupe Colabor are updating the recall of ground veal for E. coli O157:NM to include ground beef products. These products were identified during the CFIA’s food safety investigation. No illnesses have been reported to date. The newly recalled products include Viandes Lauzon Extra Lean Ground Beef in 2 … Read more
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Groupe Colabor Inc. are recalling lean ground veal because it may be contaminated with E. coli O157:NM. This product has been sold to hotels, restaurants, institutions, daycare and healthcare facilities. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this product. The recalled product … Read more
An article in BMC Veterinary Research states that E. coli O157 has been found in bison retail meat and has been isolated from feces at slaughter houses on on bison farms. This is distressing, since cattle are already well documented E. coli O157 reservoirs, and bison is considered an alternative to beef. Bison and cattle … Read more
The Cleveland County Fair Working Group held a press conference this week to give their recommendations on how to make the event safer. Last year’s outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 at the Fair sickened more than 100 people; seven people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. A toddler died as a result of the infection. In early May, … Read more