Food Irradiation Update is published by the Minnesota Beef Council

Quotable Quotes:

"So, although the CDC seems to indicate that E. coli is on a downward trend, it seems that this nasty bug is determined to find its way into the bodies of unsuspecting consumers." William Marler, Attorney, Marler Clark.

"With 28 million children eating lunch at school every day in the United States, I believe government has an obligation to ensure parents have some peace of mind when they send their children off to school in the morning. Since children are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illness, schools must be vigilant in their efforts to ensure that cafeterias are not putting children at risk." Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).

In This Update:

Something is Happening Here!

How Safe is Food in America's Schools?

Crop Protection, Food Irradiation, Fruits & Vegetable & International Trade

Kentucky  Elementary School Reports E. coli Cases

Fairmont, Minnesota Couple Sues Dole Over Tainted Lettuce

 Something is happening here!  (October 10, 2005) Press Release from Marler Clark via FSNET

By Bill Marler http://www.marlerblog.com/
In the last month Marler Clark, LLP PS, has been contacted by victims, mostly parents of young children, of E. coli O157:H7 . The victims live in New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey and Minnesota. The food they consumed is primarily hamburger, but lettuce has also been implicated. Outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 have also been announced in the last few days in Toledo, Ohio and Seattle, Washington. To borrow from Buffalo Springfield, "Somethings happening here, what it is aint exactly clear.”

A recent report (2005) released by the CDC in collaboration with the FDA and USDA showed important declines in foodborne infections due to common bacterial pathogens in 2004. From 1996-2004, the incidence of E. coli O157:H7 infections decreased 42 percent. Prior to the 2005 report, the CDC had estimated the E. coli O157:H7 sickened some 75,000 Americans yearly. However, these illnesses still do occur.

What we know:
In New York an eight year old girl consumed hamburger purchased at a "Price Chopper” in Glenwood, New York in late August. She suffered Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) and was on dialysis for over a week. The meat she consumed was found to be contaminated with the same strain of E. coli that was found in the girls stool culture. To date the meat produced has not been subject to a recall. "Price Chopper” was implicated in a recall of E. coli contaminated beef in July 2002

In New Hampshire an eight year old boy consumed hamburger purchased at a "Stop & Shop” in Manchester, New Hampshire in early September. He suffered HUS and was on dialysis for several days. The meat he consumed was found to be contaminated with the same strain of E. coli that was found in the boys stool culture. To date the meat produced has not been subject to a recall. "Stop & Shop” has been implicated in recalls of E. coli contaminated beef in August 2000, August 2001 and August 2002.

In New Jersey a woman consumed hamburger manufactured by Murrys Inc., a Lebanon, Pennsylvania firm. She suffered Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and was hospitalized for over a week. The meat she consumed was found to be contaminated with the same strain of E. coli that was found in her stool culture. A recall of approximately 63,000 pounds of frozen ground beef was posted by the USDAs Food Safety and Inspection Services arm in June.

In Minnesota 23 people have been sickened with E. coli, 8 of them hospitalized and 1 child developing HUS, all from eating bagged, "pre-washed” lettuce. According to the FDA, more that 245,000 bags of lettuce might be affected nationwide. An alert and recall has been launched. Some of the recalled lettuce has been found to be contaminated with the same E. coli that has sickened the 23 Minnesotans.

In Ohio local, state and federal health investigators are trying to pinpoint the source of a recent outbreak of E. coli bacteria in Toledo. Fourteen people got sick in late August and early September, and one of them may have died from the bacteria. No new cases have been found, and a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Health says the outbreak appears to be over.

In Washington more than a dozen people at a nursing home have become sick, and at least four have been confirmed with cases of E. coli, with one possible death tied to an assisted living facility. Health officials have not specified the source of the infection, or whether it might have been food-borne. But they insist there is no further risk to the facility or to the general public.

So, although the CDC seems to indicate that E. coli is on a downward trend, it seems that this nasty bug is determined to find its way into the bodies of unsuspecting consumers.

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New Federal Law Gives Parents Access to Cafeteria Inspection Reports
Is your childs school cafeteria free of rodents, under-cooked or improperly stored food, and other hazards that can cause serioustand possibly fataltfood poisoning? A new federal law makes it easier for parents to answer that question by requiring more frequent inspections and easy access to school cafeteria inspection reports.

Today the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), the nonprofit nutrition and food safety watchdog group, released its School Food Safety Bill of Rights, which tells parents how to take advantage of the new law and become involved in promoting food safety at the school level. The new law was folded into the Childhood Nutrition Reauthorization bill last year by food safety advocates in Congress, led by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). It went into effect in July.

"Kids have a right to safe food in school, and parents have a right to know what goes on in the school cafeteria,” said CSPI food safety director Caroline Smith DeWaal. "Until now, many parents had to jump through hoops to track down inspection reports. Posting these reports in schools and on the Internet will be a powerful incentive for schools to run clean and safe cafeterias.”

CSPI graded 25 localities on their current practices for disclosing school cafeteria inspection reports. New York, Chicago, Boston, Cleveland, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and Washington are among many jurisdictions that do not make school cafeteria inspection reports available online. Denver and Houston do put reports online, but dont assign scores like other jurisdictions do. Los Angeles County gives scores, but makes them hard for users to find.

CSPI gave grades of "B” to DeKalb County, Georgia; Seattle and King County, Washington; and San Francisco, for making their reports available online. Only one jurisdiction received CSPIs "A” grade: Maricopa County, Arizona, which includes Phoenix. Its online reports even include the comments of the inspectors.

"With 28 million children eating lunch at school every day in the United States, I believe government has an obligation to ensure parents have some peace of mind when they send their children off to school in the morning,” said Representative DeLauro. "Since children are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illness, schools must be vigilant in their efforts to ensure that cafeterias are not putting children at risk. These changes in law will support parents who want to work with school principals and food-service directors to ensure a safe environment.”

Some of the most common pathogens responsible for school outbreaks include E. coli O157:H7, Clostridium perfringens, Norovirus, and Salmonella, according to data from CSPIs Outbreak Alert! database. Some infections from those can be directly linked to critical violations in school cafeterias, especially violations involving improper food temperature. Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply to dangerous levels when foods that are supposed to be served hot are allowed to cool. Infected food handlers may have been responsible for some outbreaks of Norovirus and Hepatitis A. Salmonella, which is common on raw poultry, can spread to fresh produce if those foods are stored improperly close to one another. Hamburgers or foods containing ground beef can harbor E. coli if not cooked to 155 degrees Fahrenheit.

Nine-year-old Tony Streiff of Minneapolis was hospitalized in 2000 after he and his classmates ate school lunches containing undercooked beef contaminated with E. coli. Tonys ordeal inspired his father Ken Streiff to become an advocate for food-safety in schools. "Parents should take an active role by asking questions, insisting that the cafeteria is inspected regularly, and demanding that any violations are addressed immediately,” said Streiff.

Parents can see if schools are complying with the new law by visiting the cafeteria and seeing if the inspection reports are posted in a visible location. If it has been more than seven months since the last inspection, CSPI advises parents to call the city or county public health department. And, if the inspection report lists troubling violations, parents and PTAs should ask to discuss a food-safety plan with the school principal.
 

CSPI also says that although more needs to be done, school food service providers have gone to great lengths in recent years to improve the nutritional quality of school meals. More fruits and vegetables end up on school lunch trays than in the past, and meals are generally lower in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

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Mexican Fruit Fly Control through Use of Irradiation as a Treatment for Fruits listed as Regulated Articles - The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service adopts " ... as a final rule, without change, an interim rule that amended the Mexican fruit fly regulations to provide for the use of irradiation as a treatment for fruits listed as regulated articles ..." - The interim rule took effect on February 20, 2003 - APHIS Contact: Wayne Burnett, National Fruit Fly Program, PPQ at 301 734 4387 - APHIS September 30 Federal Register: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/05-19575.htm

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The Barren River District Health Department has issued a medical advisory after two children at Red Cross Elementary School in Kentucky were diagnosed with escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria.

Dr. Jerry Ralston, Barren County Schools superintendent, met with faculty and staff at the school Friday to discuss the situation and also sent a sheet explaining E. coli home with every student, as well as a personal letter on how to prevent the spread of the bacteria.

"We wanted everyone on the same page,” Ralston said. "We wanted to communicate the issues with E. coli. We didnt want rumors to spread.”

Symptoms of E. coli, which can cause an infection of the intestines, include diarrhea, stomach cramps and low-grade fever, although some infected persons may not experience symptoms at all. More harmful strands are serious and can cause kidney and blood pressure problems.

"The only way to tell if its E. coli is stool culture or gram stain with a confirming culture,” Charlene Morris, a Family Medicine Physician Assistant, said. "There is usually some sort of stomach virus going around that is not necessarily E. coli. People should talk to their doctor.”

E. coli is spread when bacteria leave the body through the stool of an infected person and enter another when hands, food or objects such as toys contaminated by touching are placed in the mouth. The advisory instructs people to thoroughly wash their hands with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers and before preparing or eating food.

It also recommends cooking all hamburger thoroughly, ensuring it is brown, and to not drink unpasteurized milk or fruit juices.

It is unclear how the two at Red Cross Elementary came in contact with the bacteria.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to these two youngsters and their families and we wish them a speedy recovery,” Ralston said. "You never know where the source is and because of that youll get rumors. We want to address any rumor that gets out there.

"It may be true, it may not be, but we want the facts presented. Were not trying to back away from anything. Were prepared to address it.”

Ralston said the school will operate as normal and that he has reviewed copies of the last two health department inspections of the schools cafeteria, both of which were excellent. However, he said the school will intensify its inspections and reviews.

"Were going to make sure we incorporate (health department) precautions,” he said. "Were going to make sure students are washing their hands and do some extra cleaning. Well continue to monitor the situation with the Barren River Health Department.”

Ralston said there hasnt been a noticeable change in attendance at the school and that he has already heard feedback from parents over the advisory and his personal note.

"I was at the ballgame last night and had a few parents mention they appreciated the release,” he said. "They didnt really voice any real concerns besides the precautions. I felt good about that and that they felt comfortable discussing it with me.”

Ralston said that if any other parents have concerns, they are welcome to call the office or school.

"We will talk to the parents about it,” he said. "If they have an issue, just communicate it to us and well deal with it.”

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From KEYC-TV, Mankato, Minnesota via FSNET; http://www.keyc.tv/article/view/84589/
After two trips to the emergency room and eight days in the hospital, Carol Tvedten is, according to this story, on the path to recovery after she and her husband Lenny became ill after eating lettuce that was tainted with E. coli O157, adding, "I was betrayed and I felt emotional too, because our granddaughter was eating with us that night and she decided not to eat lettuce. And I'm so thankful she did it makes me emotional, it makes me angry and I've always practiced good food handling methods and that didn't seem to make a difference in this case."

The story says it was here at the Fairmont medical center where Carol spent 9 days in the hospital after coming down with symptoms similar to her husband. Carol says she began feeling sick with a wide variety of symptoms.

With his wife still in the hospital Lenny saw the news 12 report on the tainted lettuce. That's when he knew his wife was ill with more than just the flu. "I was watching KEYC news and I heard about the recall, I went and checked our refrigerator and sure enough, we had the lot number and the same lettuce they were talking about."

The story says that the Tvedten's have filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the Premade salad, Dole. They hope to spare others from the misery they've experienced. If this is going to help any company improve their quality control so this type of thing doesn't happen".

Irradiated Foods Booklet Provides Science-based Information on Food Irradiation: The American Council on Science & Health booklet on irradiated foods can be downloaded from: http://www.acsh.org/publications/booklets/irradiated2003.html .

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Ronald F. Eustice
Executive Director
Minnesota Beef Council
2950 Metro Drive # 102
Bloomington, MN 55425
USA
Phone: 952/854-6980
Fax: 952/854-6906
E-mail: ron@mnbeef.org
Website: www.mnbeef.org