Ten people are sick in a Minnesota E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak that is linked to romaine lettuce, according to a press release issued by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Those patients are not counted in the 121 case count total sickened nationwide in the update that the CDC issued last week.
Consumers are asking questions about this outbreak; namely, how can they protect themselves and their families? One of the questions is: will washing romaine lettuce and other produce eliminate the pathogenic bacteria?
The answer is, unfortunately, no. There are several reasons for this.
First, it only takes 10 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria to make a person very sick. That tiny amount is invisible to the eye. Washing romaine lettuce will not remove all the bacteria from microscopic surface of every leaf. Experts say that washing romaine lettuce and other produce can only reduce the number of bacteria that may be present, not completely eliminate them.
Second, pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7 can form biofilms. These bacteria tend to cluster in small clumps so they can communicate with each other and protect each other. The bacteria produce a matrix made up of proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids. The matrix is very dense and protects the bacteria from cleaning agents. It also protects the bacteria from antibiotics, and even desiccation. A simple rinse with water or a cleaning solution may not penetrate that biofilm.
And finally, the deeply crenelated surface of leafy greens provides lots of places for bacteria to hide. The same is true for other types of produce, especially cantaloupe. And, if there are tiny tears, bruises, or rips in the lettuce leaf, the bacteria can actually get inside. No amount of washing any kind of produce can reach the bacteria then.
The only thing that will kill E. coli bacteria is heat; the food must be heated to 160°F. There are very few recipes that call for cooked romaine lettuce. Grilling romaine lettuce halves will not increase the temperature enough to kill any bacteria that may be present.
Ottawa, May 2, 2018 – The food recall warning issued on April 25, 2018 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.
K&K Foodliner is recalling certain pork schnitzel products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.
| Brand Name | Common Name | Size | Code(s) on Product | UPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K&K Foodliner | Pork Schnitzel | Variable | All products with “packed on” dates from 2018.FE.21 to 2018.AL.13, inclusively | Starts with 0 202546 |
| K&K Foodliner | Pork Schnitzel – Breaded Italian Style | Variable | All products with “packed on” dates from 2018.FE.21 to 2018.AL.13, inclusively | Starts with 0 202548 |
| K&K Foodliner | Pork Schnitzel – Breaded | Variable | All products with “packed on” dates from 2018.FE.21 to 2018.AL.13, inclusively | Starts with 0 202547 |
| K&K Foodliner | Pork Schnitzel – Breaded Buffalo Style | Variable | All products with “packed on” dates from 2018.FE.21 to 2018.AL.13, inclusively | Starts with 0 202570 |
Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized
| Issue Date | 30.4.2018 |
|---|---|
| Source of Information | Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Commission |
| Food Product | A kind of cheese imported from France |
| Product Name and Description | Product name: Camembert de Normandie – Appelation d’origine protégée – au lait cru Place of origin: France Producer: Fromagerie du Plessis Importer: FICO International Ltd Packing: 250 grams per pack Batch Code: 260218DS0 Use-by date: May 2, 2018 |
| Reason For Issuing Alert |
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| Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety |
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| Advice to the Trade |
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| Advice to Consumers |
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| Further Information | The CFS press release
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The FDA has identified one farm that grew some of the romaine lettuce linked to an E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak that has sickened almost 100 people in 22 states. That facility is Harrison Farms of Yuma, Arizona. Lettuce grown there sickened inmates at the Anvil Mountain Correctional Center in Nome, Alaska
Lawsuits have been filed, as the multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 HUS infection linked to romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Arizona growing region has grown to include 98 sick. Three more states have reported ill persons: Mississippi, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized
Ottawa, April 27, 2018 – The food recall warning issued on April 26, 2018 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.
Industry is recalling certain pork products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers and food service establishments, such as hotels, restaurants and cafeterias, should not sell or use the recalled products described below.
| Brand Name | Common Name | Size | Code(s) on Product | UPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rimbey Foods Ltd. | Sliced Pork Belly | Variable | Sold from February 19 up to and including April 27, 2018 | Starts with 0 200118 |
| Fuge Fine Meat | Salchicha de Huacho Sausage | 630 g | All Best Before dates from May 3, 2018 up to and including May 26, 2018 | None |
| Fuge Fine Meat | Maple Sage Bratwurst Sausage | 630 g | All Best Before dates from May 3, 2018 up to and including May 26, 2018 | None |
| Fuge Fine Meat | DD Bratwurst Sausage | 630 g | All Best Before dates from May 3, 2018 up to and including May 26, 2018 | None |
Posted in CFIA, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Uncategorized
Ottawa, April 26, 2018 – The food recall warning issued on April 24, 2018 has been updated to include additional distribution information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.
The Meat Shop at Pine Haven is recalling certain pork products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers and food service establishments, such as hotels, restaurants and cafeterias, should not sell or use the recalled products.
The affected pork products, supplied by The Meat Shop at Pine Haven, may have been transformed into raw muscle meat cuts, ground pork, sausages, and raw ready-to-eat products. The products, which have been sold fresh or frozen, have only been distributed in Alberta.
The affected products are known to have been sold or distributed by the companies listed below from February 19, 2018 up to and including April 26, 2018. These products may have been sold pre-packaged or clerk-served, with or without a label. Consumers who are unsure if they have the affected products are advised to check with their retailer.
| Company Name | Address | City |
|---|---|---|
| Acme Meat Market | 9570 76 Avenue NW | Edmonton |
| H & A Food Sales and Services | 385059 Range Road 60 | Alhambra |
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