|
“Until
Food and Drug Administration oversight is expanded,
the most important thing consumers can do to protect
themselves and their families is to keep abreast of
news about outbreaks and use precautions when handling
food.”
Weinberg, whose law firm is currently reviewing the
claims of a dozen people who were affected by Taco Bell
food during the most recent outbreak, said that he hoped
that his website, FoodPoisoning.com, would serve as
an informational tool for consumers who were concerned
about foodborne illnesses and the state of our food
supply.
Weinberg also urged anyone who suspects they may be
a victim of food poisoning to see a doctor. Patients
should ask their doctors to test stool samples to determine
what kind of foodborne bacteria may be involved, he
added.
“And, of course, patients should listen to their
doctors,” Weinberg said. “Medical professionals
will let them know what they need to do to get better.”
|
|
|
|
|
At least 25 cases of E. coli
infection have been identified in NJ with links to several
Taco Bell restaurants in the central portion of the
state. In addition, over a dozen cases have been reported
on Long Island in NY. These cases also appear to be
linked to Taco Bell restaurants. Health officials have
not yet verified a connection between the NJ and NY
outbreaks.
Victims in both NJ and NY remain hospitalized, although
both of the NJ children diagnosed with hemolytic uremic
syndrome (HUS) appear to be improving. The NJ victims
range in age, but the majority are under 18 years old.
It has also been reported that two of the employees
of the South Plainfield, NJ, Taco Bell restaurant have
tested positive for E. coli infection in stool
samples, but they have not shown symptoms, according
to Middlesex County Public Health Department Director
David Papi. Taco Bell has closed the South Plainfield
restaurant, as well as four others in Suffolk County
on Long Island.
The E. coli strain that has been detected in the NJ
and NY cases, E. coli O157:H7, produces a powerful
toxin that can cause severe illness. Young children
and the elderly may be more susceptible to this type
of infection. Symptoms may include diarrhea (often bloody)
and abdominal cramps and may appear anywhere from one
day to one week following exposure.
If you think that you are experiencing symptoms related
to E. coli infection, you should contact your
health care provider or visit your local hospital emergency
room.
To learn more about E. coli HO157:H7 and food
poisoning, please visit the pages of this website. |
|
 |
|
With approximately
63 cases of E. coli O157:H7 reported in six states since
the outbreak linked to Taco Bell was first uncovered
in South Plainfield, New Jersey, Central New Jersey
attorney, Eric H. Weinberg noted the importance, for
consumers, of keeping abreast of food poisoning news.
“The series of food poisoning outbreaks this
fall shows how vulnerable consumers are because of the
lack of adequate regulation of our food supply,”
Weinberg explained.
After testing 525 fresh whole broilers,
Consumer Reports found that only 17% were not contaminated
with Salmonella or Campylobacter,
bacteria that can cause food poisoning in humans.
Not only were these premium brand chickens found to
contain bacteria, but several strains were found to
be resistant to one or more types of antibiotics. For
that reason, some antibiotics might not work in the
treatment of food poisoning infections caused by these
bacteria, according to Consumer Reports’ Geoff
Martin.
Salmonellosis, which occurs when food contaminated
by Salmonella bacteria is consumed, is one
of the most common foodborne illnesses. Most people
infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea,
fever, and abdominal cramps within 12-72 hours. Campylobacter
is typically contracted by the improper handling of
raw poultry or the consumption of raw or undercooked
poultry. The illness is typically characterized by diarrhea
(often bloody), cramping, abdominal pain, and fever.
According to Consumer Reports, individuals can protect
themselves against infection from these bacteria by
making sure to thoroughly cook chicken to an internal
temperature of 165 degrees F. In addition, consumers
should take proper precautions when handling raw chicken,
which should always be stored in the refrigerator.
If you think that you are experiencing symptoms related
to Salmonella or Campylobacter infection,
you should contact your health care provider or visit
your local hospital emergency room.
To learn more about Salmonella and Campylobacter,
including symptoms and complications of food poisoning
resulting from these bacteria and tips on preventing
infection, please visit the pages of this website.
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Eleven of the victims were reported to
have eaten at a Taco Bell restaurant located in South
Plainfield, NJ. The restaurant has voluntarily closed
its doors, while the investigation continues.
The Middlesex County Public Health Department (MCPHD)
website reports a total number of 19 cases of E.
coli infection to date. Seven victims of the outbreak
in central New Jersey remained hospitalized, as public
health officials worked to discover how and where they
had become infected. Two of the patients have developed
hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition
which affects the kidneys.
MCPHD Director David Papi called the outbreak significant.
Papi also reported that the restaurant did not show
any significant health code violations and that tests
were being performed on stool samples taken from available
restaurant employees.
Although most strains of E. coli are harmless
and can be found in the intestinal tract of healthy
humans and animals, E. coli O157:H7 produces
a powerful toxin that can cause severe illness. While
healthy adults usually recover, young children and the
elderly are vulnerable to kidney damage, and in these
populations infection can sometimes result in death.
Symptoms of E. coli infection may include
diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps. Symptoms
may appear anywhere from one day to one week following
exposure.
If you think that you are experiencing symptoms related
to E. coli infection, you should contact your
health care provider or visit your local hospital emergency
room.
To learn more about E. coli O157:H7 and food
poisoning, please visit the pages of this website. |
| |
|
| |
|
With 199 reported cases of E. coli
O157:H7 infection resulting from the consumption
of raw spinach, the FDA today recommended that: “In
order to protect consumers, retailers and food service
operators should not sell raw spinach or blends that
may contain spinach that were the subject of the recall.
Two elderly women, one in Wisconsin and one in Nebraska,
and a two-year-old from Idaho have died during this
outbreak. Illnesses have been reported in 26 states.
Investigation into the cause of the outbreak is still
ongoing by the FDA, the CDC, the USDA, and the State
of California. According to the FDA, all of the spinach
implicated in the current outbreak has been traced back
to Natural Selection Foods LLC of San Juan Bautista,
California. On September 15, 2006, the company initiated
a voluntary recall of the products. Four additional
companies that received the recalled product from Natural
Selections have issued secondary recalls.
For more information about E. coli O157:H7,
visit the Eschericia coli page on this website.
For an up-to-date list of spinach products that have
been recalled, as well as more information about the
outbreak, read the FDA news release at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01486.html |
| |
|
| |
|
|
Because of possible E. coli contamination,
the Nunes Company, Inc., based in Salinas, California,
informed the FDA that it was recalling Foxy brand green
leaf lettuce. The company discovered the presence of
E. coli in water used to irrigate the lettuce
plants.
Although it is not yet known if the strain of E.
coli discovered is O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening
foodborne illness, or the more common strains that generally
do not lead to disease, the FDA commended the company
for its cautious approach. At present, there are no
reported cases of illness connected with this product.
The FDA has promised to inform the public about the
results of ongoing tests on the water supply.
In August 2006, the FDA and the State of California
established the Lettuce Safety Initiative designed to
increase lettuce safety, improve industry practice and
quickly alert consumers about outbreaks.
For more information about E. coli O157:H7,
visit the Eschericia coli page on this website.
For more information about the Foxy brand lettuce recall
and the Lettuce Safety Initiative, read the FDA news
release at:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01487.html |
| |
|
| |
|
|
Jumbo Foods, Inc., of Mukilteo, WA, has
recalled 1360 Tuscan Sun Turkey sandwiches with a production
code of 35E. The sandwiches could be contaminated with
Listeria monocytogenes, which can cause life-threatening
illness in young children, the elderly or individuals
with weakened immune systems. There have been no reported
illnesses.
These sandwiches had been distributed to convenience
stores in Washington, Oregon and Northern California.
Routine sampling by the Washington State Department
of Agriculture discovered that the Tuscan Sun Turkey
sandwich contained Listeria. The cause of contamination
is under investigation.
The company has advised consumers who bought the sandwiches
to return them to the store for a full refund.
For more information about this foodborne pathogen,
visit the Listeria page on this website. For
the complete press release from Jumbo Foods, visit this
FDA web page:
http://www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/jumbo10_06.html |
| |
|
| |
| |
|
|
| With approximately
63 cases of E. coli O157:H7 reported in six states since
the outbreak linked to Taco Bell was first uncovered in
South Plainfield, New Jersey, Central New Jersey attorney,
Eric H. Weinberg noted the importance, for consumers,
of keeping abreast of food poisoning news… |
| More |
| |
| At least 25 cases
of E. coli infection have been identified in NJ with links
to several Taco Bell restaurants in the central portion
of the state. In addition, over a dozen cases have been
reported on Long Island in NY… |
| More |
| |
| After testing
525 fresh whole broilers, Consumer Reports found that
only 17% were not contaminated with Salmonella or Campylobacter,
bacteria that can cause food poisoning… |
| More |
| |
|
