O104:H4 May Change How We Deal With E. coli

by: Jill Richardson

Fri Jun 17, 2011 at 11:19:42 AM PDT

by James Andrews | Jun 16, 2011

With recent estimates attributing the ongoing German E. coli outbreak to 3,406 illnesses and 39 deaths, it has become the deadliest -- and second largest -- E. coli outbreak in history. And while already singular in its impact, the outbreak sets itself farther apart in that its infections have resulted not from the infamous E. coli strain O157:H7, but O104:H4, a rare strain never before linked to a large foodborne illness outbreak.

Food Poisoning Diaries: E. Coli

by: Jill Richardson

Mon Jul 12, 2010 at 17:51:11 PM PDT

Bonita's food poisoning story has almost nothing in common with Peter's. The pathogens weren't the same, the foods that made them sick weren't the same, but there's a lot more than that. Peter's son, Jake, was exactly who you'd expect to get really, really sick. When foodborne illness strikes, the most susceptible are the very young and the very old. But Jake, thank goodness, didn't even require hospitalization. Bonita was in the prime of life - but if she hadn't gone to the hospital, she would have died. Jake's family had no worries about health insurance and his doctors did the right thing the first time. Bonita had nothing but worries about health insurance, even as she was deathly ill, and several doctors who saw her screwed up. Jake made a full recovery. Bonita didn't. So here's what happened, in Bonita's own words.

Death by Chocolate?

by: Jill Richardson

Sun Nov 29, 2009 at 14:13:34 PM PST

Linda Rivera has just been trying to stay alive. Her cascading problems started about seven days after she ate the dough when her kidneys shut down and she went into septic shock. Then doctors had to remove part of her colon, which had become contaminated. Soon, her gallbladder was inflamed and had to be excised. Shortly after, her liver stopped functioning. It is unclear exactly what is causing her loss of speech, although the toxin produced by the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria can attack the brain.

Of all the victims, Rivera has spent the most time in hospitals -- about 120 days since May. She was recovering well enough at one point to go home for nine days but, during that reprieve, she had to be rushed to the emergency room three times.

It's now almost December. I was wondering - hoping - if Rivera was home safely with her family now, so I asked. The news was not great. She's still in the hospital but out of the ICU. She's no longer on a feeding tube, but she's still on a ventilator. She suffered a stroke as well as kidney and liver failure.

My thoughts and prayers are with Rivera and her family. This must be a very tough holiday season for them.

The E. Coli Vaccine

by: Jill Richardson

Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 15:44:37 PM PDT

That's how we should deal with food safety. Not with condoms and birth control pills but by decreasing risky behaviors and preventing the spread of disease and the contamination of our food, AND by following that up with testing. In the case of E. coli, we could do that. Don't keep the cows in feedlots. Let them graze on pasture. Or - still better than what we've got now - keep them in the feedlots but let them eat grass for the last few days of their lives. And even then - even if there is E. coli 0157:H7 in the cow's gut, it's STILL not in the meat until somebody screws up at the slaughterhouse. But we allow slaughterhouses to run so fast (to maximize profits, at the expense of animal welfare, worker safety, and food safety) that occasionally somebody at the gut table screws up and splatters manure everywhere. Now, if E. coli 0157:H7 was in the cow, it's in the meat. And that meat might get mixed up with many other animals and sold in one big tainted batch as ground beef.

So what's our plan? Raising the cows in cleaner, healthier, safer conditions? Slowing down the line speed in slaughterhouses? Nope. An E. coli vaccine for cows. Which is - if anything - a very short term fix. If the cows are still in filthy conditions, and the manure's still getting into the meat, it's only a matter of time before some new bug comes along that can harm us. Going back to safe sex, I got the HPV vaccine but that's not a get out of jail free card to go out and have unprotected sex. Even with the vaccine, I'm still susceptible to all other STDs - and the cows and meat will still be susceptible to all kinds of pathogens even after being vaccinated for E. coli.

I'm not saying the E. coli vaccine is a bad thing. If it works, great. I mean, when given the choice, I got the HPV vaccine. But it's not a substitute for preventing disease by keeping the cows in healthier conditions, just as the HPV vaccine doesn't mean I can take home a new guy from the bar every night to have unprotected sex (umm, not that I would, or would want to). Nor does it mean we don't need to test the meat for pathogens (just like my vaccine doesn't mean I no longer require annual pap smears).

And yet, the USDA tests ground beef up to 4 times per month but STILL doesn't have the legal authority to shut down a plant that consistently fails its tests. And who knows how often the processing plants actually test for pathogens - or if they actually throw out tainted meat when their tests find any. We know from the peanut and pistachio salmonella outbreaks earlier this year that those companies still sold the tainted nuts even AFTER they tested positive for salmonella.

Once the food safety bill passes (assuming it does) food companies regulated by the FDA will be required to report positive test results to the FDA - but beef falls under the USDA and so they won't be affected by the new law. Pathetic.

Smoking Cookie Dough: Found!

by: Jill Richardson

Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 14:47:42 PM PDT

Brian Hartman of ABC reports that FDA investigators today found E. coli O157:H7 at the plant in Danville, Virginia where Nestle makes Toll House Cookie Dough.

The bacteria, according to an FDA official, was found at the plant in an unopened package of raw chocolate chip cookie dough. It had been manufactured on February 10, 2009 but had not yet been shipped.

Investigators still do not know how the E. coli got into the dough. But finding this "smoking gun" package confirms they pushed for a recall of the correct product.

E. Coli Beef Recall Expands; Illnesses Now Linked to Recalled Beef

by: Jill Richardson

Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 13:45:15 PM PDT

The last time I reported on this, no known illnesses were associated with this recall. Now the CDC believes there are at least 18 cases linked to this outbreak. And note that while the FDA stands to get a badly-needed food safety upgrade in the near future, this recall falls under the USDA, not the FDA. There seems to be no movement within Congress right now to make any changes at the USDA to address food safety.

Nestle E. Coli Recall: Inspection Report & Other News

by: JayinPortland

Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 16:00:00 PM PDT

In a September 2006 visit, for example, managers at the Danville, Va., plant refused to allow a Food and Drug Administration inspector to review consumer complaints or inspect its program designed to prevent food contamination. The inspector found dirty equipment and "three live ant-like insects" on a ledge but nothing severe enough to give the plant a failing grade. [...]

The FDA can [currently] inspect the records if it invokes a bioterrorism law and shows that the agency has "a reasonable belief" that the foods pose serious health threats -- a high bar to cross.

While it may not be perfect, and while we definitely have to continue to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't unfairly harm small, responsible producers when it's clearly these major food companies who are the problem when it comes to food safety in our current system; the food safety legislation currently in Congress will require food companies to provide FDA access to these records, and that's a very good and necessary thing.  "Company policy" should never be able to override our regulatory agencies' efforts to ensure that we aren't taking our lives into our hands every time we shop at the supermarket.

Details from the inspection reports, and a bit more, below the fold...

A Food Safety Update: 41,000 Lbs of Beef Recalled [UPDATED]

by: Jill Richardson

Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 13:52:39 PM PDT

JBS Swift is recalling 41,280 lbs of beef "due to possible E. coli contamination." Just another reminder that food safety reform is badly needed in this country. Meanwhile the Nestle Tollhouse Cookie Dough recall is still in the news. 70 people are sick; 30 hospitalized. The confirmed cases of E. coli occurred in 28 states. And - just a reminder - there are always many more cases of foodborne illness than the number the CDC is able to confirm.

So how about that food safety reform?? Well, the Food Safety Enhancement Act has passed the House Energy & Commerce Committee, which means it is ready to be voted on. Now the Speaker (Nancy Pelosi) needs to bring it to the floor for a vote. Congress is on recess next week, which means it's a GREAT time to call or visit your representative's district office to tell them you want them to urge the Speaker to bring the food safety bill up for a vote ASAP as soon as Congress is back in session after the 4th of July. (The bill could still use some improving to make it less burdensome to small producers... I'd like to see them drop the part of the bill that instructs the FDA to tell farmers how to safely grow and harvest food, and to exempt the smallest food facilities from the $500 annual fee... you might want to mention that to your Congresscritter too.)

So - assuming that happens - the FDA is going to get a badly needed makeover. But what about the USDA? So far... nothing. The beef E. coli recall falls under the USDA, but in a recent hearing, the meat industry unequivocally told the House Ag Committee that no new regulations were needed because their products were already safe and current oversight was enough. Let's hope those aren't famous last words. The fact of the matter is that as long as we produce animal products in filthy, crowded conditions and slaughter and process animals at mind-boggling speeds, making it difficult for workers to keep themselves and the meat they are working with safe, we are leaving ourselves open to more outbreaks like this one and like the more deadly outbreaks of years past.

Update on Cookies & E. Coli

by: Jill Richardson

Fri Jun 19, 2009 at 08:59:17 AM PDT

If you DO have Nestle's Tollhouse Cookie Dough in your fridge, DON'T EAT IT RAW. Cooking it at 165F should kill the E. coli although you might want to just throw it away or take it back to the store as a precaution. Chocolate chip cookies are easy enough to make yourself and if you plan on simply eating cookie dough, you can leave the eggs out of the recipe, which I am including below.

Hands Out of the Cookie Jar - It May Contain E. Coli

by: Jill Richardson

Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 12:56:23 PM PDT

Over the last few weeks we have been investigating E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in several states.  All seemed unconnected.  However, common food items were uncooked Nestles Toll House Cookie Dough, Strawberries, Fruit Roll-ups and Ground Beef.  The vast majority reported eating Toll House Cookies.

Maybe it's time to put all of those foods on your "do not eat" list until further notice? However, local strawberries bought from your own farmers' markets should be OK - and if you've really got a hankering for ground beef, buy it from someone who will grind it for you or grind it yourself. That way you'll be eating the meat of one animal, not hundreds, and your risk will be greatly reduced.

Close to a 100,000 pounds of beef recalled

by: Ellinorianne

Thu May 21, 2009 at 22:03:59 PM PDT

A 7-year-old Cleveland girl died Sunday from an E. coli infection that local health officials say could be linked to a massive ground-beef recall issued Thursday from an Illinois-based company.

Health officials did not identify the girl or provide details of the circumstances that led to her death. But Cleveland Health Director Matthew Carroll said the case might be the latest in a cluster of E. coli infections traced to Valley Meats LLC of Coal Valley, Ill.

The company pulled nearly 100,000 pounds of hamburger patties Thursday after a U.S. Department of Agriculture investigation confirmed that three Cleveland-area residents were infected by eating the same tainted ground beef.

Senseless Murder in the Name of Safe Spinach

by: Jill Richardson

Sun Apr 12, 2009 at 06:00:00 AM PDT

Workers on one large farm killed 33 deer in a single year. Farmers poisoned ponds to get rid of frogs, ripped out trees and bushes and erected miles of expensive fencing.

But two years of testing wild animals and birds in the region suggests that only a small fraction actually carry the strain of Escherichia coli responsible for the contamination. (Source)

And how many were found to carry E. coli 0157:H7? Less than 1%. This is no surprise to my fellow tree-hugging hippies. We've been protesting the insane "leafy greens" agreement for some time now. After several E. coli outbreaks, farmers were instructed to put up fences and get rid of hedgerows to keep the wildlife away. The Cornucopia Institute warned that they were not acting in the name of science and they were basically acting counter to organic practices. Is now the time when we get to say "I told you so"?

Some Will Go Hungry, Others Will Get Sick

by: jgoodman

Sun Nov 23, 2008 at 18:40:24 PM PST

I suppose it depends on the comparison. Somalia? Kenya ? In developing countries close to 2 million children die every year from contaminated food and water. So I guess we can say we have a safer food system than theirs, wow! How do we fare compared to other industrialized countries?

Whole Foods Beef Recall

by: Jill Richardson

Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 08:00:00 AM PDT

Details on Whole Foods:

The recall of Whole Foods Market ground beef sold between June 2 and Aug. 6 has shed a new spotlight on Nebraska Beef of Omaha, one of the country's largest meatpackers. Whole Foods has said it did not know that its vendor, Coleman Natural Foods, had used Nebraska Beef to process the meat.

What a screwed up system we have. I'd like to know what actually happened here. This article makes it appear that the 5.3 million pounds Nebraska Beef recalled from May and June were a different E. coli outbreak from this one. That time people got sick in 7 states. This time the Nebraska Beef E. coli outbreak has sickened 31 people in 12 states, DC, and Canada, resulting in a new recall of 1.2 million pounds of ground beef. And this is all just a continuing saga...

-- US Department of Agriculture shut down the plant three times in 2002 and 2003 for problems such as feces on carcasses, water dripping off pipes onto meat, paint peeling onto equipment and plugged-up meat wash sinks.

--In 2004 and early 2005, Nebraska Beef was written up at least five times for not removing brains or spinal cords from the food supply, as required. The company corrected the problems. Those parts may be infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease.

--US inspectors in August 2006 threatened to suspend Nebraska Beef operations for not following requirements for controlling E. coli. The company corrected the problem a week later, USDA records show.

--Also in 2006, Minnesota health officials blamed Nebraska Beef for sickening 17 people who ate meatballs at a church potluck in rural Minnesota. Several victims filed lawsuits against Nebraska Beef, including the family of a woman who died.

Nebraska Beef - Still in Business

by: OrangeClouds115

Mon Jul 14, 2008 at 15:00:00 PM PDT

Federal officials have approved changes Nebraska Beef Ltd. proposed after it recalled 5.3 million pounds of beef last week.

USDA spokeswoman Amanda Eamich (EE-Mitch) says the Omaha-based company's plan satisfies the concerns raised after the meat was linked to an E. coli outbreak.

Do you feel safer now?

I'm glad to say that a few people are suing Nebraska Beef for making them sick: Dawn Grieves and Amanda Joan Adam.

[Dawn Grieves] decided to sue Nebraska Beef after researching the company's past violations and complaints, 10TV News reported.

The company was notified of the tainted beef in June, but a recall was not issued until last week.

Adam was hospitalized just days after consuming ground beef infected with E. coli. She purchased the meat at the Kroger Marketplace in Gahanna. That ground beef sample tested positive for the same strain of E. coli linking the cases in Ohio and Michigan. Adam's lawsuit accuses the grocer and beef manufacturer of negligence and seeks at least $25,000 in damages.

Let's follow these stories because often when you sue Nebraska Beef, they sue you back.