FSnet Aug. 8/08

BARFBLOG: Handwashing really needs soap and paper towel

UK: Nursery shuts after E.coli cases

IRELAND and UK: FSAI Updates on Salmonella Outbreak

S&S Foods of Azusa recalls frozen beef after E. coli outbreak

Another view: Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak

UK: Man died after contracting E. coli from his cat

TEXAS: Crypto outbreak spreading in Dallas, Tarrant counties

UK: Family's holiday illness nightmare

BLOG: Campylobacter infection strikes consumers of raw milk in California

ONTARIO: Dairy farmer rejects deal in raw-milk court case

LETTER: Just say no to raw milk

PENNSYLVANIA: Gathering calls for freedom for 'real' milk

INDIA: FDA probe to tarnish our reputation: Subhiksha

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BARFBLOG: Handwashing really needs soap and paper towel
08.aug.08
barfblog
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/handwashing/handwashing-really-needs-soap-and-paper-towel/index.html
Amanda Rials sends along this joke:
A woman went up to the bar in a quiet rural pub. She gestured alluringly to the bartender who approached her immediately. She seductively signaled that he should bring his face closer to hers. As he did, she gently caressed his full beard.
'Are you the manager?' she asked, softly stroking his face with both hands. 'Actually, no,' he replied.
'Can you get him for me? I need to speak to him,' she said, running her hands beyond his beard and into his hair.
'I'm afraid I can't,' breathed the bartender.. 'Is there anything I can do?'
'Yes, I need you to give him a message,' she continued, running her forefinger across the bartender's lip and slyly popping a couple of her fingers into his mouth and allowing him to suck them gently.
'What should I tell him?' the bartender managed to say.
'Tell him,' she whispered, 'there's no toilet paper, hand soap, or paper towels in the ladies room.'



 
UK: Nursery shuts after E.coli cases
08.aug.08
BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/7549446.stm
A nursery in the Borders has closed voluntarily after two children were confirmed with E.coli O157.
A statement from NHS Borders said two cases of the infection had been reported to its public health department in the last week.
Both children - who are under four years of age - are "doing well" and are at home under the care of their GP.
As a precautionary measure, checks are being carried out on any youngsters and staff who have attended the nursery.
Consultant in Public Health Medicine Dr Alan Mordue said the children affected had frequent social contact outside the nursery.



 
IRELAND and UK: FSAI Updates on Salmonella Outbreak
08.aug.08
Food Safety Authority of Ireland
http://www.fsai.ie/news/press/pr_08/pr20080808.asp
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reports on its continuing investigation into a food poisoning outbreak of Salmonella Agona affecting Ireland and the UK. Whilst, the investigation continues to seek to establish the exact source of the outbreak, laboratory testing of foods is providing evidence of a possible link with Dawn Farm Foods Ltd, The Maudlins, Naas, County Kildare (plant number 734) and some of its products. Information gathered by the FSAI suggests that potentially contaminated beef product was supplied to the Subway chain of food outlets and the FSAI has received assurance from Subway that this product has been removed from sale.
In light of this, as a precautionary measure in the interests of public health all products processed on the same production line as this beef product at Dawn Farm Foods (plant number 734) are being withdrawn. A list of these products is available and will be updated on the FSAI's website www.fsai.ie.
Dawn Farm Foods has confirmed to the FSAI that it is withdrawing selected batches of cooked beef, cooked chicken and cooked bacon products from the made-to-order* sandwich trade. The FSAI is urging food outlets providing made-to-order sandwiches to comply swiftly and completely with the withdrawal.
Mr Alan Reilly, FSAI states: "This is a highly complicated outbreak investigation focusing on products from one thermal processing line with a complex food distribution chain. Dawn Farm Foods is fully cooperating with the investigation. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has served a compliance notice to detain all products at the plant produced on the production line under investigation. To ensure swift product withdrawal, food businesses are urged to check the list of the implicated products on the FSAI website and this list will be updated as new information becomes available.
"Salmonella Agona is very unpleasant, but it is not life threatening for most people who usually make a full recovery. However, serious complications can occur for older people, young children, pregnant women and people who are already sick with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever. Consumers who believe any food they have eaten has made them ill should seek medical advice," Mr Reilly says.
The FSAI reiterates its advice for all food outlets providing made-to-order sandwiches to be particularly strict in adhering to best hygiene practices. Food borne bacteria including Salmonella is effectively killed through thorough cooking. It reminds retailers of the importance of ensuring that hot sandwiches must be thoroughly cooked before serving to the consumer. It also stresses the need for strict procedures to be followed at all times to avoid cross contamination between raw and cooked foods.
The FSAI is working closely with the Department of Health & Children, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the Health Service Executive, as well as the relevant agencies in the UK in relation to this food incident.
As the investigation is ongoing, the FSAI will continue to provide more information as it becomes available.



 
S&S Foods of Azusa recalls frozen beef after E. coli outbreak
07.aug.08
Los Angeles Times
Tiffany Hsu
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-beef8-2008aug08,0,3378915.story?track=rss
A California food company is recalling 153,630 pounds of frozen ground beef after an E. coli outbreak shut down a Boy Scout camp in Virginia this week and sickened at least 22 people, health officials said Thursday.
The meat from Azusa-based S&S Foods was intended for institutional use and food service companies, which normally supply restaurants, and wasn't sold at the retail level. Before the recall, the beef was shipped to distribution centers in Milwaukee and Allentown, Pa., according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The link to beef was discovered through an investigation by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Virginia Department of Health.



 
Another view: Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak
08.aug.08
Frozen Food Age
http://www.frozenfoodage.com/web/online/NEWS/Another-View--Salmonella-Saintpaul-Outbreak/1$1025
As investigation of the Salmonella saintpaul strain continued, the United Fresh Produce Association, Washington, D.C., provided an update on July 30 that U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigators had discovered the Salmonella saintpaul strain in irrigation water and serrano peppers on a farm in Mexico, where jalapeno peppers are also grown.
According to FDA, the farm where the contaminated water was found grows only jalapeno and serrano peppers. It supplied a packing facility in Mexico that also did business with Agricola Zaragosa, the McAllen, Texas, distributor where FDA inspectors had previously found tainted jalapeno peppers. The farm and the packing facility are located in Nuevo Leon, a state in northeastern Mexico. A portion of Nuevo Leon borders Texas. FDA was trying to determine if there is a connection between the sample from the farm that contained Salmonella saintpaul with the sample found in McAllen, Texas.
FDA also said on July 30 that they had not ruled out tomatoes as another possible source of the outbreak and continue to explain that this outbreak looks to be from multiple commodity sources. However, FDA continues to advise that tomatoes and jalapeno peppers grown in the United States are safe to consume.
As the Salmonella saintpaul story was unfolding, the Scientific Advisory Council of the World Food Logistics Organization (WFLO), which is part of the Global Cold Chain Alliance, Alexandria, Va., along with the IARW, IRTA and IACSC, provided some insight in an issue of Cold Connections, the e-newsletter of the Global Cold Chain Alliance:
Salmonella in Tomatoes Could Be Caused by Temp Changes
The tomato Salmonella outbreak afflicting U.S. agriculture was reported as the largest outbreak on record. The Packer reports that since April there have been 613 persons reported infected with Salmonella in 33 states and the District of Columbia. The outbreak has not only sparked public anxiety, but started a discussion about how and why Salmonella contamination occurs. Recently, The Associated Press wrote an article suggesting salmonella can actually penetrate the skin of a tomato through the scar where the stem used to be if the tomato is washed in cold water post-harvest. IARW turned to the scientists of the WFLO Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) for more information.
SAC Chairman Dr. Daryl Lund explained that "any time you have a temperature gradient you can get water/moisture movement." In the case of the tomato, the inside of the tomato is at a higher temperature and when plunged into cold water there is contraction of the gases in the tomato creating a slight vacuum. This results in liquid water being sucked into any opening in the tomato surface. Dr. Mike Jahncke noted, however, that this may not be the cause of the current outbreak, but is entirely possible. Jahncke also confirmed that contamination can possibly occur by plant roots sucking up Salmonella or poor employee hygiene at a packing plant.



 
UK: Man died after contracting E. coli from his cat
08.aug.08
Daily Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2523838/Man-died-after-contracting-E.coli-from-his-cat.html
Victor Lepford, 71, contracted the bug from his cat Poppet, which was probably passed to him in the process of clearing up its waste without wearing gloves.
Coroner Alan Crickmore recorded a verdict of accidental death on Mr Lepford, the former director of a car hire firm, who lived with his wife Eunice.
The inquest heard that Mr Lepford, of Prestbury, near Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire, had first visited his GP's surgery on July 12 last year complaining of diarrhoea. He was given no medication at that time but was told to take in a stool sample.
The next day, after being sick overnight, he was visited by a locum doctor, who discovered his abdomen was bloated. His stool sample was sent to the lab.
Later, the same day, he was given an injection.
On July 16 the doctor again visited and Mr Lepford's diarrhoea had worsened and later that evening he collapsed at home, paramedics were called and he was taken to Cheltenham General Hospital.
Mr Lepford, who was known as 'Bob' and had three grandchildren, was rushed to hospital after suffering days of sickness and diarrhoea.
Despite a month of medical treatment, including drugs and surgery, he did not get better and died at Cheltenham General Hospital on August 14 last year.
Microbiology showed thate the C-diff toxin was identified and E-coli was later confirmed.
Pathologist Professor Neil Shepherd, who carried out the post mortem examination, said Mr Lepford's death had been due to infection within his abdomen, predominantly of E.coli.



 
TEXAS: Crypto outbreak spreading in Dallas, Tarrant counties
07.aug.08
Dallas Voice
Tammye Nash
http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_9550.php
An outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis in North Texas has prompted health department officials in both Dallas and Tarrant counties to warn HIV-positive people and others with weakened immune systems to stay away from public swimming pools and water parks.
Jacqueline Bell, public information officer with Dallas County Health and Human Services, and Al Roy, public information officer with Tarrant County Public Health, said that drinking water in both counties has not been affected by the outbreak.
DCHHS has also issued "strong recommendations" to the general public, as well as recommendations to public and private pool owners to try and curb the outbreak.



 
UK: Family's holiday illness nightmare
08.aug.08
Sheffield Telegraph
Sarah Dunn
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news2/Family39s-holiday-illness-nightmare.4371079.jp
A dream holiday for a Sheffield family was ruined when all six of them were struck down with a gastric bug that left them confined to the bedroom for a week.
Vicky and Carl Knight and their 15-year-old son Nicholas planned the holiday with Vicky's brother John Booth, his wife Julie and their daughter Chloe, 17, to mark Vicky's birthday.
It was meant to be a luxury, five star break, staying in the Movenpick Hotel in the Egyptian resort of Taba – but the day before Vicky turned 47 the whole family was struck down with severe sickness, stomach pains and diarrhoea.
As a result they each remained in their hotel bedrooms for most of the second week of the £4,000 all-inclusive holiday – going downstairs only to fetch some dry bread and lemonade.
Now Vicky, Carl, John, both 48, and Julie, 47, all from Norton, are among nearly 30 British holidaymakers who launched legal action against their tour operator First Choice Holidays and Flights Limited claiming compensation for the "horrendous" ordeal.
Solicitor Francesca Sandiford, representing the family, said: "Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident – we are currently investigating claims for over 20 holidaymakers who stayed at the Movenpick Hotel in April and May this year.
"Tour Operators have a responsibility to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to safeguard the health and welfare of their customers.
"Often simple hygiene measures can make all the difference in avoiding the transmission of illness, and the often long lasting symptoms and serious effects on the quality of life of illness victims."
A First Choice spokesman said: "First Choice is genuinely concerned to learn of any illness reported in our properties and we would like to reassure all our customers that their health and safety is of paramount importance.
First Choice closely audits all the hotels to which it operates to ensure the health, safety, hygiene and comfort levels our customers expect are maintained.
"First Choice can confirm that the legal department are investigating claims received regarding the Movenpick, Taba in Egypt and are therefore unable to comment further and will respond appropriately in due course.
"The Movenpick, Taba continues to be a very popular hotel among customers. We would like to assure customers due to travel to the Movenpick, Taba in the future that they will experience the high levels of quality and standards they expect from a First Choice property."



 
BLOG: Campylobacter infection strikes consumers of raw milk in California
08.aug.08
Marler Blog
Bill Marler
http://www.marlerblog.com/2008/08/articles/case-news/campylobacter-infection-strikes-consumers-of-raw-milk-in-california/index.html
We have recently learned of individuals in Northern California who have become seriously ill after consuming raw cow's milk tainted with the bacteria campylobacter. At least one person remains hospitalized after consuming the milk and developing Guillain-Barrι syndrome (GBS). GBS is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system includes the cranial nerves (except the optic [eye] nerve), the spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system that governs involuntary actions. This woman remains hospitalized on a ventilator.
Campylobacter jejuni is a bacterium that was first recognized as a cause of human gastrointestinal illness in 1975. Since that time, the bacterium has been identified as the most common cause of bacterial foodborne illness in the U.S., ahead of Salmonella – the second most common cause.
Got "Raw" Milk?
OK, before the raw milk folks get out their pitchforks - again - I want you to know that I have also been retained by the family of one of the people who died after drinking Listeria-tainted "pasteurized milk" (contaminated post-pasteurization during the bottling) in Massachusetts late last year. See, it is not that I am against raw milk per se, I am just against poisoning people for money - raw or not so.



 
ONTARIO: Dairy farmer rejects deal in raw-milk court case
08.aug.08
Globe and Mail
James Rusk
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080808.MILK8/TPStory/TPNational/Ontario/
Dairy farmer Michael Schmidt was cited as saying yesterday that local officials offered to drop court proceedings against him if he would only move his raw-milk distribution site out of their jurisdiction and into the city of Toronto.
Mr. Schmidt said in an interview that the offer was made on July 31 by York Region lawyer Daniel Kuzmyk. On that day, Mr. Schmidt was in court in Newmarket for a hearing on a contempt-of-court charge for failing to obey a directive from York's medical officer of health not to distribute raw milk.
York Region spokesman Patrick Casey said that it would be inappropriate to comment on anything that happened at the July hearing, and that the region is preparing for a three-day trial on the contempt charges to begin Sept. 10.
Mr. Schmidt has championed the rights of customers to purchase raw milk, even though the law requires pasteurization of milk sold to the public. He said he decided to reject the offer, not only as a matter of principle, but because he would just end up fighting the Toronto Board of Health if he moved his operation south.
"A minute before the judge came in, I said: I'm not interested in that deal. Then he [Mr. Kuzmyk] turned around and said: 'You'll get smoked, you'll get smoked, there will be nothing left. Eventually we'll get you.'
"The interesting thing is that they have got the court order on the basis that there is a health hazard for York Region and that they are very concerned about the health of the people. At the same time, they say, as long as you get out of our area, we don't give a shit any more. That was for me, a real eye-opener [on] how they work."



 
LETTER: Just say no to raw milk
08.aug.08
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080808.LETTERS08-6/TPStory/Comment
Rosana Pellizzari, the medical officer of health for Peterborough, Ont., writes regarding, The Right To Rawness (editorial, Aug. 4) to say that the pasteurization of milk is a classic public health success story: The intervention is so good at preventing illness that some people forget why it's done. Opponents of pasteurization suffer from both a lack of memory and societal perspective. When E. coli from farm animals contaminated the drinking-water supply of Walkerton, Ont., it sickened thousands and killed seven people. As is often the case when appropriate public health practices are ignored, the town's children were among the most affected.
Before pasteurization, humans were commonly infected with other organisms from cows, such as brucellosis, tuberculosis, typhoid and listeriosis. But milk can also pick up organisms anywhere on its travels from cow to kitchen.
Raw milk continues to be associated with outbreaks each year. It has recently been linked to campylobacter, salmonella, yersinia, Q fever, toxoplasmosis and hemorrhagic colitis, to name a few. Why on Earth would we subject ourselves to such unnecessary risk when we've already found the solution?



 
PENNSYLVANIA: Gathering calls for freedom for 'real' milk
08.aug.08
Lancaster Farming
Tracy Sutton
http://www.lancasterfarming.com/node/1399
LEBANON, Pa. -- What do a room full of Amish dairy farmers, Ron Paul libertarians, health-conscious grandmothers from Philadelphia and one state senator have in common? They all drink raw milk.
They refer to as "real" milk and are passionate about keeping the government from interfering with it.
The "Farmers and Consumers Freedom and Liberty Seminar" took place at Cedar Crest High School in Lebanon, Pa. last Saturday and drew nearly 300 people. The all-day event, hosted by state senator Mike Folmer (R-48), was parts townhall meeting and big tent revival.
As Folmer exclaimed that this commonwealth has a department of "agriculture" — not "agribusiness" — more than a few shouted "amens" could be heard.
The purpose of the seminar was to bring together farmers, consumers, and activists to examine the benefits and safety of raw milk, brainstorm policies to expand raw milk sales, and lessen government "interference" in its regulation.
Featured speakers included Sally Fallon Morell of the Weston Price Foundation; Ted Beals, a retired pathologist; Jonas Stolzfus, president of the Pennsylvania Independent Consumers and Farmers Association; William Taylor Reil, an activist; Senator Mike Folmer; and Peter Kennedy, vice president of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF).



 
INDIA: FDA probe to tarnish our reputation: Subhiksha
08.aug.08
Business Standard
http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=330798
Retail chain Subhiksha feels it is being unfairly targeted by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra in initiating enquiries and hygiene checks on grounds that it is selling repackaged goods. The company would present its case in a hearing scheduled on August 8.
In a statement, Mohit Khattar, president (marketing) of Subhiksha Trading Services, said, "It is quite sad that agencies saddled with the task of consumer protection can be used as tools by competition and vested interests to settle scores."
When contacted, FDA sources said its actions were determined by public interest and no company was being targeted.
 


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