The number of food recalls issued by USDA-FSIS increased in 2014 over previous years. Ninety-four recalls were issued, compared to 75 in 2013. Pounds of food recalled also increased, from 13.1 million pounds in 2013 to 18.7 million pounds in 2014. USDA oversees the safety of meat, poultry, seafood, and egg products. But there were fewer … Read more
A study published in the Journal of Food Protection has found shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria in ground beef sold in the U.S. at the retail level. Cattle are reservoirs for E. coli O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157. Those bacteria can cause serious illness and death in humans. STEC bacteria were … Read more
PFP Enterprises is recalling about 15,865 pounds of beef products because it may be contaminated with E. coli 0103, 0111, 0121, 0145, 026, and 045 according to the USDA. Those are the six non-O157 shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria (STEC) that the USDA classified as adulterants last year. No reports of illness have been reported … Read more
A major five year research study is looking at E. coli bacteria in beef and how to control it in the food supply. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is heading up the study, along with scientists at Kansas State University and other institutions such as New Mexico State University and the University of California-Davis. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli … Read more
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released its two year Plan for Program Priorities. It is designed to meet the issues of the globalization of the food supply chain, changing industry processes, and consumer preferences for fresh and minimally processed foods. The Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) is implementing the plan. … Read more
Dr. Herbert Schmidt is the head of the University of Hohenheim’s Department of Food Microbiology. His work focuses on foods and E. coli contamination, particularly the virulent enterohemorrhagic strain of the bacteria called EHEC. These bacteria are also known as Shiga-toxin producing E. coli, or STEC, and they cause serious illness that can lead to … Read more
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is issuing a health advisory about consumption of locally produced, raw dairy products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103. This bacteria is Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that can cause serious illness and death. Several cases of the illness in northwest Missouri have been reported to … Read more