February 2006

Mary-Jo Lomax of La Voz reports that an estimated 76 million cases of foodborne illnesses occur each year in the United States. While the majority of these cases are mild and cause symptoms for only a day or two, some cases are more serious. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there are 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths related to foodborne diseases annually.
The most serious cases usually occur in the very young, the very old or those with weakened immune systems.
Foodborne illnesses are caused by a variety of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and even toxins. Symptoms can appear from a few hours to a week or more.Continue Reading Foodborne illness presents major problem

The public’s understanding of food risk issues is skewed towards under estimating the danger from common pathogen contamination, according to a research survey.
The survey results could help companies and experts develop communication strategies aimed at ensuring the public understands the various risks posed by food borne diseases and hazards.
The survey researchers concluded that food safety experts have a key role in communicating food risk and thus their perceptions will influence how food risk issues are communicated to the public.
The survey, published in the Journal of Food Safety, is based on the responses of 400 food safety experts in Ireland.Continue Reading Public underestimates risks posed by common pathogens

Elliotte Bowerman of Lean Trimmings reports that the nation’s largest grocery chain – including Fred Meyer, QFC, Fry’s, Smith’s and Ralph’s stores – announced last Tuesday that it will no longer carry ground beef products packaged with carbon monoxide (CO). The decision resulted from uncertainty over the benefits and detriments of using the gas, which…

A recent Knight-Ridder Tribune editorial said when consumers reach for a package of meat at the supermarket, they shouldn’t have to wonder whether the product they’re about to take home and cook for their families has been treated to keep it looking fresh. Especially if it isn’t.
Treating packaged meat with carbon monoxide to maintain its marketable red color apparently is a widespread practice in the meat industry, but one we feel needs to be reconsidered.
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas but supposedly is not dangerous in the minute quantities injected into meat packages. The gas reacts with the meat to keep it from turning brown and thus less attractive to shoppers. Industry spokesmen say the process saves the high cost of disposing of meat that is still perfectly safe but doesn’t look good, although some consumer advocates argue persuasively that it could mask dangerous spoilage.Continue Reading Fresh should mean fresh

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin is asking consumers to check their refrigerators for two kinds of milk sold at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club.
The commissioner’s request follows Wal-Mart’s announcement that it has pulled milk from its shelves after receiving complaints about it having a foul odor.
The two kinds of pulled milk are Great Value…

The Cowichan Valley Citizen reports that residents of the Central and Northern parts of Vancouver Island can now check the results of health inspections of their favourite local eatery online.
In 2002 Victoria area inspections were the first to be viewed on line and now, with this roll out of the program from the Vancouver Island Health Authority, people across the Island have access to the findings of health inspections of all food service establishments plus other information about food safety.
The site includes an explanation of what environmental health inspectors are looking for when they inspect a restaurant, pub or cafeteria, and why a facility received a “low”, “moderate” or “high” hazard rating.
Summary findings of inspections for restaurants or food stores, dating back to Jan. 1, 2005, are available for Central and North Island.
Detailed inspection information and comments can be found beginning Dec. 1, 2005.Continue Reading Food industry health inspections available online

Joanna Larez of the Greeley Tribune reports that Nelly Morales had given her baby almost two full cans of formula before she heard about traces of metal that might be contained in the batch.
Enfamil Gentlease powder infant formula in 24-ounce cans with bottom code BMJ19 and a preferred use date of July 1, 2007, was recently recalled.
Morales, 23, of Greeley has given her 5-month-old daughter, Belicia Morales, the formula since September. Belicia’s doctor recommended the formula, which is designed to be easily digested.
Morales heard about the recall on the news and checked an empty can in the trash to find that it was part of the recalled batch. So was the can she was using.
Belicia is a healthy baby, but started vomiting and having diarrhea about two weeks ago, which would be about when Morales started using the formula from the recalled batch.Continue Reading Baby’s sickness, recalled formula possibly related

MSNBC.com reports that two hospitals in Allentown and Reading and two nursing homes are the latest places being hit by a stomach bug. A similar virus outbreak kept 1,399 students home from Washington Township High School in New Jersey Friday. Almost 200 people in Lehigh and Berks County have become sick with what local health officials believe is a norovirus, the same virus that sickened hundreds of passengers on cruise ships several years ago. Norovirus is the name now given to a group of viruses previously called Norwalk. Final tests from the state health department are not due until Monday.
Health officials in the Lehigh County said that the virus is spreading like wildfire.Continue Reading Norwalk-like virus hits Lehigh Valley, South Jersey

The Associated Press reports that one of the nation’s largest egg producers was barred Friday from selling over 4 million eggs deemed unfit for human consumption.
The eggs were stored in a barn in Croton belonging to Ohio Fresh Eggs. Inspectors found the eggs at room temperature, in violation of health standards, the Ohio Department…

EchoPress.com reports that health officials are reporting an increase in digestive tract illness caused by a family of bugs known as noroviruses.
At least 29 outbreaks of norovirus illness have been reported to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) since the first of the year, according to department officials. The outbreaks have occurred in a variety of settings, including commercial food establishments, schools, nursing homes and hotels.
Noroviruses are the most common cause of food-related illness in Minnesota, and reported cases tend to peak during the winter months. However, officials say the current level of norovirus activity is the highest in several years.Continue Reading Food-related illnesses on the rise