FSnet Aug. 6/08 -- II

BARFBLOG: Bathroom horrors in the friendly skies

BARFBLOG: The Journey effect; and why I don't get invited for dinner

DENMARK: Salmonella source eludes experts

Aug. 6: Update on public health E. coli investigation

Sandwiches sold at two MASSACHUSETS markets recalled

MEXICO says pepper farm tests negative for salmonella

ARIZONA farmers favor help for tomato growers hit by food scare

Public Health takes extra measures to protect KENTUCKY's food supply

IOWA: Health chief recalls strain

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BARFBLOG: Bathroom horrors in the friendly skies
06.aug.08
barfblog
Doug Powell
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/food-safety-communication/bathroom-horrors-in-the-friendly-skies/index.html
Flying just isn't that fun anymore. Everyone's grumpy, things are crowded and, with airlines now charging for pillows and blankets, will they son start charging for toilets?
And how to go under the door if you don't have a quarter?
A frequent flying food safety friend and barfblog reader sends along her latest observations from the friendly skies:
• No offense against your species, but about 90 per cent of the men did not shut the door upon exit; reached over and closed it a couple times, but became hopeless over time.
• Repeatedly, folks of both species came out with toilet paper on their shoes that scraped off on the carpet next to my seat or just in front/behind it. The stewardess did discrete rounds and picked the paper scraps up in a swift arc from the floor to a plastic bag attached (also discretely) next to the lavatory door. Handwashing didn't appear to be part of the toilet paper pick-up protocol - so far as I could tell.
• People are way bigger slobs and poop a lot more on planes than I ever imagined, pew.
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2007/06/articles/yuck-factor/airplane-tip-when-surrounded-by-sewage-dont-eat-much/


 
BARFBLOG: The Journey effect; and why I don't get invited for dinner
07.aug.08
barfblog
Doug Powell
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/food-safety-communication/the-journey-effect-and-why-i-dont-get-invited-for-dinner/index.html
Amy and I don't often get invited for dinner. I thought it was cause of my food safety geekness, but I now realize it could just be me. On Tuesday I ended the meal at some friends' house by breaking out my best Geddy Lee falsetto and recounting the Rush classic, Closer to the Heart.
It was part of our terrible bands nostalgia. Journey was at the top of my list (and they're even back with a new Steve Perry sounding singer they found on youtube). I saw Journey once, opening for the Rolling Stones in Buffalo in 1981. They were terrible. But they made the Stones look even better when they finally took the stage. Ever since, I refer to the practice of surrounding oneself with dumbasses as the Journey effect – it makes you look better without trying.
I've also since learned there are a lot of hardcore Journey fans out there.
As I told Misti Crane of the Columbus Dispatch back in July, I try not to be a food safety jerk around other people. But, sure enough, the first e-mail Wednesday morning was from our dinner hosts, asking if our stomachs we stable.
Dinner was great. And I'll stick to my 68-72 Stones.
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/07/03/BBQTIME.html?sid=101
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/07/articles/culture-of-food-safety/i-try-not-to-be-a-food-safety-jerk/index.html



 
DENMARK: Salmonella source eludes experts
06.aug.08
The Copenhagen Post
http://jp.dk/uknews/article1404369.ece
Despite a record outbreak of salmonella scientists are still unable to pin down the origin of the bacteria in meat products After months of examining various meats and interviewing patients, scientists from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration have come to no conclusion.
The figure is the highest for a salmonella epidemic in Denmark in modern times, surpassing 1993's count of 550 persons who contracted the illness.
'We don't have any reports of someone dying yet, but with an outbreak of this magnitude it is typical for salmonella to be a contributing cause of death to people in a weakened state of health,' Steffen Glismann, physician at Statens Serum Institut, told Politiken newspaper.
Glismann said the epidemic could already have affected up to 6000 people, most of whom possibly suffered only from diarrhoea or a slight fever. He said his team had interviewed nearly 300 patients, asking them about what they had eaten in the days leading up to their illness. Their shopping receipts had also been traced, but the salmonella's source could not be pinpointed.
The scientists believe that more than one source is responsible for the outbreak and that the most likely candidates are ready-to-eat meals that include meat. They did not rule out a specific ingredient being responsible for the outbreak, however.



 
Aug. 6: Update on public health E. coli investigation
06.aug.08
University of Guelph
http://www.uoguelph.ca/news/2008/08/public_health_i.html
The University of Guelph continues to work closely with Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health in its investigation of an outbreak of E. coli at U of G.
There are now seven confirmed cases, and Public Health is following up on a number of unconfirmed cases. The University is particularly concerned for those who have required hospital treatment.
Public Health has now identified the strain as E. coli 0157:H7, a potentially serious strain.
The health department said the initial contact occurred between July 21 and July 23, and symptoms can develop up to 10 days after infection.
Although health officials said it's unlikely that the source of the outbreak will ever be identified, they believe it's an isolated incident (how do they know if the source of the outbreak is never identified? – dp)
In addition to its normal sanitizing procedures, as a precaution the University has taken extra-special measures to disinfect its food service operations under the guidance of Public Health.
Following an inspection by Public Health, it has been confirmed that it's appropriate for the University to continue its food service operations at this time.
The University regrets any inconvenience or concerns this situation may have caused. We will continue to update this web page as new information becomes available.
Information about E. coli is available through the Ontario Ministry of Health (doesn't the University of Guelph have some food safety group that bills itself as a "Reliable Information Source" and runs a phone line to answer food safety questions? – dp). Some infected people may have mild diarrhea or no symptoms at all. Most identified cases develop severe diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and/or vomiting.
If you or any of your family members currently have or recently experienced any of these symptoms, please call Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health at 519 846-2715 or 1-800-265-7293, Ext. 2673.



 
Sandwiches sold at two MASSACHUSETS markets recalled
06.aug.08
White Coat News
Elizabeth Cooney
http://www.boston.com/news/health/blog/2008/08/sandwiches_sold.html
State health officials are warning consumers to throw away ready-to-eat sandwiches sold by two grocery chains in Eastern Massachusetts because they might be contaminated by bacteria.
"Roller sandwiches" made by World Class Canapes of Wilmington and sold by 18 Roche Brothers and Sudbury Farms stores have been recalled because they may contain the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, according to the state Department of Public Health.
The contamination was discovered through microbiological sampling by the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service, which has received no reports of illnesses connected to the sandwiches. The state DPH said people who are concerned about symptoms should call their healthcare providers.



 
MEXICO says pepper farm tests negative for salmonella
06.aug.08
Bloomberg
Andres R. Martinez
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aeHcy_aeE390&refer=latin_america
Mexico's government said its tests of serrano peppers and water from a farm the U.S. identified as infected with salmonella showed no signs of the bacteria.
Samples from the farm in the northern border state of Tamaulipas tested negative for the Saintpaul strain of salmonella that has sickened more than 1,300 people in the U.S. since April, said Enrique Sanchez Cruz, head of Mexico's agriculture and food safety agency.
Similar tests by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at the same farm last month detected salmonella in a sample of peppers and water used for irrigation, according to the agency. ``We stand by our test results,'' FDA spokesman Michael Herndon said in an e-mail.



 
ARIZONA farmers favor help for tomato growers hit by food scare
06.aug.08
KTAR
Kevin Tripp
http://ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=925494&r=1
A Florida congressman wants the federal government to compensate tomato growers whose business was ruined when the Federal Drug Administration focused on tomatoes as the cause of a salmonella outbreak in more than 40 states, including Arizona.
Jalapeno peppers imported from Mexico are now believed responsible for the salmonella.
Julie Murphree of the Arizona Farm Bureau is all for the federal government paying to the tune of $100 million.
"I think it's appropriate, especially because a government agency miscalculated on this one," Murphree said.
Growers in Florida and California were hit hardest during the scare earlier this summer.



 
Public Health takes extra measures to protect KENTUCKY's food supply
06.aug.08
WNKY.net
http://www.wnky.net/news/local/26345709.html
With the added emphasis on agriculture, popularity of farmers' markets and recent concerns related to foodborne illness and food contamination, the Kentucky Department for Public Health wants to assure the public of its critical role in Kentucky farm production and post-production processes that help to ensure a safer food supply.
"Public health is committed to protecting foods that are grown, manufactured and distributed in the commonwealth," said William Hacker, M.D., DPH commissioner. "Through the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS) program, we are able to work directly with the agricultural community on food safety issues."
DPH follows GAPS, best practice guidelines designed by the produce industry, to help farmers apply food safety controls that, if implemented, can significantly reduce the risk of product contamination. The focus of the program includes monitoring the microbial quality of irrigation water supplies; farm worker hygiene; equipment sanitation; fertilizer application; careful consideration of land use in areas near or adjacent to food crops; and harvest equipment sanitation.
In 2007, DPH began working to promote the GAPS message to the farming community in response to the growing popularity of farmers' markets throughout the state. The department spearheaded a multi-agency GAPS task force that consisted of the Kentucky Food Safety Branch, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and other stakeholders. The mission of the task force was to develop a voluntary GAPS education program for Kentucky farmers' market growers and producers.
Task force partners have conducted training across the commonwealth. More than 800 farmers' markets vendors have completed the voluntary GAPS education component, which includes a farm practices self-assessment as well as a GAPS education component.
"Kentucky is a leader in assembling this statewide voluntary educational program, to help further assure the safety of our grown food. Expectations are high that most - if not all - of our farmers' markets vendors will eventually have signed on to complete this valuable food-safely training and on-farm GAPS assessment," said Guy Delius, acting director of the public health protection and safety division. "With consumer expectations for safe, locally-grown produce at an all-time high, the Kentucky Department for Public Health is pleased to be able to assist our local producers in this effort."



 
IOWA: Health chief recalls strain
06.aug.08
The Hawk Eye
Jeff Abell
http://www.thehawkeye.com/Story/DMC-supes-080608
It was a scenario the Des Moines County Public Health Department did not anticipate -- more than 1,500 people needing to be vaccinated for an outbreak of hepatitis A.
During regular session Tuesday, Des Moines County Health Director Barb Baker told county board members that mistakes were made in handling vaccinations for patrons of Whitey's Bar and Billiards in Burlington.
Last month, a part-time employee of the restaurant was diagnosed with hepatitis A, which is a contagious liver disease that develops from the hepatitis A virus.
The Iowa Department of Public Health urged those who consumed select items from the restaurant during a seven-day period in July to be vaccinated with either hepatitis A vaccine or immune globulin.
Currently, there is no risk to restaurant patrons, according to health officials.
Baker said the higher-than-expected number of people needing to be vaccinated overwhelmed staff and volunteers.
"We did our best," Baker said. "We were doing tetanus booster shots for flood workers and all of those involved in the cleanup. (When this issue came up) we realized our clinic area was much too small. We had no idea that the line snaked down to the water company."
Initially, staff was unaware that those waiting to receive vaccinations, which included different types of vaccines given to individuals based on age, had become fatigued by the heat, Baker said.
Later in the day, she added, chairs, an awning and water were provided by the county's emergency management office and other local agencies.
 


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