Lonny Stark of the Rock River Times (Illinois) reports that scoring a severe case of food poisoning is enough to provoke an obsessive-compulsive fear of germs.
The most common bacterial culprits in foodborne illness are Salmonella, Campylobacter and a strain of E. coli referred to as O157:H7. The group of “Norwalk” viruses also contributes to
Dallas County Health and Human Services opens food borne illnesses investigation at Lake Highlands High School
North Texas E-News reports that the Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) has opened an investigation into the possible tampering of food items at Lake Highlands High School. DCHHS investigation team, consisting of epidemiologists, environmental and laboratory personnel, visited Lake Highlands High School to interview staff regarding the incident.
DCHHS Laboratory received samples of
Missouri health officials discuss ways to combat food-borne illnesses
Jenna Youngs of The Columbia Missourian (MO) reports that in the event of a potluck dinner gone bad, Missouri health officials now are more prepared to deal with a food-borne illness outbreak.
Officials from 13 county health departments and a state department met at the Callaway County Health Department office Monday to discuss ways to combat potential outbreaks.
Heather Baer, Columbia-Boone County Health Department spokeswoman, said roughly 75 people attended the drill in Fulton. Participants discussed procedures to control large-scale outbreaks such as salmonella or E. coli.Continue Reading Missouri health officials discuss ways to combat food-borne illnesses
USDA list would pinpoint locations of recalled meat
Cindy Skrzycki of the Washington Post reports that for the first time, the Department of Agriculture is proposing that consumers be told which supermarkets and retail outlets have sold meat or poultry that is subject to a recall because of safety concerns.
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service publicizes recalls by issuing a press release, describing the food being recalled and any identifying codes, the name of the company that produced it, a contact person and, more recently, a picture of the product.Continue Reading USDA list would pinpoint locations of recalled meat
Team 4 investigates bad meat for sale
Jim Parsons of Channel 4 Action News (PA) reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture told Team 4 that agents are in the midst of an investigation into the possible distribution of spoiled meat in western Pennsylvania.
That investigation has been going on for at least eight months, and we don’t know how it will end.
But in the meantime, what are the lessons for consumers? Lesson No. 1: Don’t rely solely on expiration dates to tell you whether the meat product you’re buying is spoiled.Continue Reading Team 4 investigates bad meat for sale
Food safety expert suing Bravo: Consultant is among 360 who report illnesses
Kevin Grasha of the Lansing State Journal reports that a consultant who helps restaurants address food safety issues – and who said she became ill after eating at Bravo Cucina Italiana – has filed a lawsuit against the company that owns the restaurant.
The suit was filed Monday on behalf of Pattie McNiel, who coordinates Michigan State University’s food safety program and who also runs her own consulting business.Continue Reading Food safety expert suing Bravo: Consultant is among 360 who report illnesses
Mystery illness closes elementary school early
Paul Day of CBS4denver.com (CO) reports that state health officials were trying to figure out how 14 teachers got so sick, school administrators were forced to dismiss class early on Friday.
Faculty members at Trailblazer Elementary School first started experiencing symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting on Thursday night.
“It was sort of freaky because it’s not every day that you hear ‘oh you’re teacher got food poisoning today,'” said Lauren Howery, a fourth grader at the school. “It’s sort of weird and scary.”
A letter was sent home to parents saying that all the sick teachers had previously attended a catered buffet at the school on Wednesday night.Continue Reading Mystery illness closes elementary school early
Eateries address sanitation concerns
Justin Kroll of The State News reports that with recent health issues at Bravo Cucina Italiana, 2970 Towne Centre Blvd., and Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 6540 W. Saginaw Hwy., the health department and local restaurants assure they take customer safety seriously.
Bravo closed for business Thursday night after more than 200 people contacted the Ingham County Health Department saying they had experienced flu-like symptoms after eating at the restaurant.Continue Reading Eateries address sanitation concerns
Update on foodborne illness: No cause yet in restaurant outbreak
WILX10.com reports that since this past Thursday when news of a foodborne illness spread, the phone lines and website of the Ingham County Health Department have been busy.
“We’re still inputting data. So the numbers may rise. But what we’re asking for now is if they’re still interested in reporting that they provide the day and time they ate at Bravo’s and also when the onset of illness began.”
According to Natasha Davidson, of the Ingham County Health Department, the gastrointestinal outbreak happened after customers ate at Bravo Italian Cucina in the Eastwood Towne Center sometime between May 3rd and 11th. But the cause of the illness is still up in the air.Continue Reading Update on foodborne illness: No cause yet in restaurant outbreak
Victim of Bravo norovirus outbreak files suit
Marler Clark filed a lawsuit today against Bravo! Development, Inc., the owner of the Bravo! Cucina Italiana restaurant that was the source of a large foodborne illness outbreak in early to mid May. The lawsuit was filed in Ingham County Circuit Court on behalf of Pattie McNiel, an academic specialist at the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center at Michigan State University, who became ill with a gastrointestinal illness after eating at the restaurant on May 7, 2006.
Continue Reading Victim of Bravo norovirus outbreak files suit