A new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and Masonic Cancer Center, published in the journal Science, finds a possible association between E. coli and cancer. The scientists have determined how toxins produced by the pathogen interact with and damage DNA on the molecular level. Applications from this study may help doctors understand how toxins affect DNA, and may help them to develop tools to improve chemotherapy treatments. The main researchers are Silvia Balbo, School of Public Health assistant professor, and Peter Villalta, mass spectrometry services coordinator at Masonic Cancer Center. Support was provided by the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute. The method uses mass spectrometry to study how toxins interact with … [Read more...]
How Is HUS Diagnosed After an E. coli Infection?
Hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, is one of the most serious complications of any foodborne illness infection. It is caused by misshapen red blood cells that are created when Shiga toxins produced by E. coli bacteria travel through the bloodstream to the kidneys. The destroyed blood cells clog the glomeruli, which are tiny tubes in the kidneys. The kidneys can shut down, and some patients experience kidney failure. One of the worst things about this complication is that most patients are children under the age of 5, who have no choice in what they are given to eat or drink. Symptoms of HUS include little to no urine output (oligoanuria), lethargy, pale skin, a skin rash, and bleeding from the nose or mouth. If someone is experiencing these symptoms, it's critical that they … [Read more...]
Mountain Man Apple Cider Recalled for Possible E. coli Contamination
Mountain Man Market of Cana, Virginia is recalling 1/2 gallon containers of Mountain Man Apple Cider because it may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria, according to news reports. The bacteria is identified as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which can cause serious illness and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a kind of kidney failure. This recall is not listed on the FDA site. The recalled Mountain Man Apple Cider was distributed locally in Canada, Virginia at the Mountain Man Market on and before November 10, 2018. The product is packaged in a clear 1/2 gallon container. This cider has not been pasteurized, a process that destroys pathogenic bacteria. If you bought this product, do not drink it and do not use it to cook or bake. Discard it or return it to the store where you … [Read more...]
IFSAC Estimates of Foodborne Illness Sources For 2016
The Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC), a tri-agency group that was created by the FDA, CDC, and USDA, has released an executive summary of the pathogens that cause foodborne illness and the foods they are linked to. Researchers looked at Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter outbreaks and illnesses for 2016. These pathogens were chosen because they cause 1.9 million illnesses each year combined, and cause severe illness. The IFSAC data was derived from 1255 foodborne illness outbreaks that occurred from 1998 to 2016 that were linked to a single food category. These estimates will help these agencies to intervene and to create policies for reducing outbreaks. Overall, E. coli O157 illnesses were most often linked to leafy greens and … [Read more...]
Fall Food Safety Tips From Public Health Officials
Fall is here, but even though the temperatures are cooler, food safety is still an issue. If you are participating in specific fall activities, follow the government's fall food safety tips to keep your family safe. People like to go apple picking, tailgate at football games, and go hiking and camping in the fall. The first step in preparing foods for these activities and in general is to make sure your hands are clean. Poor hand hygiene can cross-contaminate surfaces in your kitchen, such as refrigerator handles and countertops, with pathogenic bacteria. Wash your hands for 20 seconds using soap and water and dry with a clean towel. Raw meat and poultry are the most problematic foods. Make sure to use separate plates, utensils, and cutting boards when you work with these foods. … [Read more...]
More Details About the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut E. coli Recall
The FDA has released more details about the recall of Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut products for possible E. coli contamination. This recall was started because the pathogenic bacteria was found in the well water and distribution system at the facility. No illnesses have been reported. The Hawaii Department of Health notified Mauna Loa that a water sample in their system tested positive for E. coli bacteria on September 21, 2018. More test samples were positive, so a recall was advised. The recalled products were all produced between September 6 - 21, 2018. You can see the long list of recalled products, along with lot numbers, UPC numbers, and can sizes at the FDA web site. The recalled items include various sizes of Mauna Loa Roasted Salted Macadamia Nuts, Mauna Loa Honey Roasted … [Read more...]
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts Recalled for Possible E. coli Contamination
Mauna Loa Macadamia nut products, produced in Kea'au, Hawaii are being recalled for possible E. coli contamination. These products were made between September 6 and 21, 2018. This recall was prompted by a detection of E. coli in the well water and distribution system that supplies the facility. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. All retailers of Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut products are to remove from sale any products received after September 6, 2018. Peter Oshiro, Sanitation Branch chief said in a statement, "There is clear evidence that food produced at the Kea‘au facility may be contaminated and consumers may be at risk. The Department of Health is working with the facility to ensure the safety of their drinking water and food production." On … [Read more...]
St. John Creamery Recalls Raw Goat Milk For Possible E. coli Contamination
St. John Creamery, of Monroe, Washington is recalling whole retail raw goat milk for possible E. coli contamination. This bacterial strain is a Shiga toxin-producing type of E. coli. The recall was initiated after routine sampling conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture found the pathogenic bacteria in retail raw goat milk dated 6/17. Public health officials are working with the facility to find the source of the problem. Raw milk has been recalled many times in the past few years for pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Ruminant animals, such as goats and cows, carry E. coli bacteria in their guts and pass it in their feces. The feces can then contaminate the animals' udders, hide, and environment. The CDC states … [Read more...]
Target Recalls Frozen Meat and Poultry Products for Temperature Abuse
Target Corporation is recalling an indeterminate amount of frozen ready-to-eat and not-ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to temperature abuse during transport, which may have caused the grows of pathogens or spoilage organisms. The products were over the temperature of 60°F for more than five hours. That could have aided the growth of Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Shiga-toxin producing E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella bacteria. These products were sold from March 23, 2018 to March 27, 2018. You can see the complete list of recalled products along with the UPC numbers and pictures of product labels at the USDA web site. Fifty-nine different products are on that list. The products include Healthy Choice Simply Grilled Chicken Pesto, Jimmy Dean Meat … [Read more...]
Darwin’s Natural Pet Products Recalls Dog Food for Possible Salmonella and E. coli O128 Contamination
Darwin's Natural Pet Products is recalling some of their Natural Selections pet foods for possible Salmonella and E. coli O128 contamination. Testing showed that some of the Chicken and Duck with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs may contain Salmonella, and the Turkey with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs sample may contain Salmonella and E. coli O128. No reports of illness in pets have been received to date. The recalled products are all Darwin's Natural brand: Natural Selections Chicken with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs, Net weight 2 pounds, Lot #43887, manufacture date 1/30/2018; Natural Selections Duck with Organic Vegetables Meals for Dogs, Net Net weight 2 pounds, Lot #44147, manufacture date 2/5/2018; ZooLogics Chicken Meals with Organic Vegetables for Dogs, Net weight 2 … [Read more...]
