"E.Coli" news and stories

A Colorado company has recalled 66,000 pounds of "ground and tenderized steak bison products that may be contaminated with E. Coli 0157:H7," Examiner.com reported.

Rocky Mountain Natural Meats issued the voluntary nationwide recall after an investigation conducted by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service, along with the CDC, FDA and public health departments in Colorado and New York revealed that "there is an association between the ground bison products" and illnesses in Colorado and New York, Examiner.com reported.

The E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and kidney failure.

A recall has been issued for romaine lettuce being sold in 23 states and the District of Columbia after an E. coli outbreak has sickened 19 people -- three of them critically so. According to the Associated Press, the Food and Drug Administration announced yesterday that 12 people had been hospitalized, and the CDC is investigating 10 more cases that may be part of the outbreak as well.

Freshway Foods, a company that describes itself as one of the leading regional fresh-cut distributors in the country, sells the romaine under Freshway and Imperial Sysco brand names, and has recalled the produce after the question of a possible link to the E. coli outbreak was raised.

I think it's been a while since we had a beef recall. And by "a while" I mean about a week.

JSM Meat Holdings and the USDA have issued a recall for meat that was distributed to 11 states. The beef was distributed in 30 pound, 60 pound, and 47 gallon containers (the beef was used in ground products). The containers are labeled with the words "Morreale Meat" and the number "EST 6872." They could possibly be contaminated with e.coli.

The states affected are Pennsylvania, Florida, Massachusetts, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Georgia, Nebraska, and Wisconsin.

Between beef recalls and threats of mad cow disease, the simple action of eating is quickly becoming less of a pleasurable activity and more of a chore, or, in some cases, a big wager.

Think you know your salmonella from your E.Coli? Feeling bored? Test your smarts with National Geographic's food safety quiz. Yes, I know, online quizzes are pretty nerdy, but this one actually provides you with decent information. After you answer each question, the site gives you a brief synopsis of the topic, so you can bulk up on your food safety knowledge for your next dinner party.

Or, even better: when the weather gets warmer and you attend a picnic, turn to your friend as she takes her first bite of chicken salad and bust out with, "Did you know that food borne illnesses are more common in warmer weather?" and watch her spit out her food and glare at you. If nothing else, your new found knowledge will provide you with hours of entertainment.

And when you're finished with that quiz, you can get to know your inner organic foodie. Because, seriously, we know you have nothing better to do.

Source

We told you recently (last week, maybe two weeks ago, all of these food recalls are becoming a blur) about a big beef recall in Canada involving Rancher's Beef. Now it looks like the beef was more widely distributed than earlier thought.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says that consumers should look out for several more Rancher's Beef products. It is suspected that the beef contains E. coli. The link above has a list of the products and the stores the beef was delivered. Here's our original notice on the beef recall.