Cigarettes Harbor Many Pathogenic Bacteria Nov 20, 2009
Bacteria of medical significance to humans were identified in all of the tested cigarettes and included Acinetobacter (associated with lung and blood infections); Bacillus (some varieties associated with food borne illnesses and anthrax); Burkholderia (some forms responsible for respiratory infections); Clostridium(associated with foodborne illnesses and lung infections); Klebsiella (associated with a variety of lung, blood and other infections); and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (an organism that... (Science Daily)
Growing Skyscrapers: The Rise of Vertical Farms Nov 17, 2009
As if all that were not enough to worry about, foodborne illnesses account for a significant number of deaths worldwide salmonella, cholera, Escherichia coli and shigella, to name just a few. Even more of a problem are life-threatening parasitic infections, such as and schistosomiasis. (Scientific American)
New Polls, Reports Highlight The Need To Update The US Food Safety System Nov 17, 2009
According to a new fact sheet released today by the Make Our Food Safe coalition, approximately half of the reported foodborne illnesses occur in children, with the majority of these cases occurring in those under 15 years of age ... "Systematic follow-up of foodborne illness cases will greatly enhance our ability to attribute long-term health problems to acute foodborne illnesses," says Tanya Roberts, Ph. (Science Daily)
Food Poisoning May Hurt for Life Nov 15, 2009
Roberts said the next step would be to set up a systemized reporting system "to follow acute foodborne illnesses and be more definitive about the long-term side effects that occur.". 1. (ABC News)
Some foods require extra care Oct 27, 2009
"Around 5,000 people die each year from foodborne illnesses," Klein said ... Berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and other berry products, rounded out the list with the parasite cyclospora to blame for intestinal symptoms ranging from severe diarrhea to dehydration and cramps, Resolved only through antibiotics, these foodborne illnesses require a trip to the doctor, the report said. (Florida Today)
Tech.view: From farm to fork Oct 10, 2009
Sometimes, however, foodborne illnesses kill or cause permanent health problems. In the United States around 5,000 people die and a further 325,000 wind up in hospital each year as a result of food poisoning. (The Economist)
Creature Comforts Oct 1, 2009
But most vets fear foodborne illnesses, say trend can harm the furry foodies. Plus, does your cat hate your baby. (MSNBC -- Health)
Lawyers Launch Food Safety News Site Sep 16, 2009
In addition to news of outbreaks of foodborne illnesses and product recalls, there are sections for policy and law, litigation, and international food-safety news. has written for The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and Wired. (Slate)
Rancher group leader blasts USDA's animal health policies Sep 11, 2009
"We see in the beef industry an increase in e-coli and other foodborne illnesses that originate not from the meat, but from the intestine," Bullard said. "These are enteric bacteria that can only contaminate meat if the meat is contaminated with fecal material. It's a sanitary issue.". (Rapid City Journal, SD)
1Woman Clinging to Life After Eating E. Coli-Tainted Cookie Dough» Sep 4, 2009
A 57-year-old woman clinging to life in a Las Vegas hospital serves as a warning as to how dangerous and potentially deadly foodborne illnesses can be, according to an article published in the Los Angeles Times Wednesday. Linda Rivera, who has spent several months in room 519 at Kindred Hospital, can no longer speak. (Fox News)
Small Food Producers Question Greater FDA Powers Sep 3, 2009
(The large estimate is based on the assumption that most foodborne illnesses aren't formally reported to public health authorities. The CDC's tabulations of actual illnesses from outbreaks shows that in 2007, the most recent year for which it has data, there were a total of 21,183 suspected or confirmed illnesses from food outbreaks, down 25% from the 28,239 reported in 2004. (BusinessWeek)
Pew poll: 9 in 10 Iowa voters support more government oversight of food Sep 3, 2009
"Most foodborne illnesses that result in hospitalizations and death are preventable. Despite that, one American every two hours, every day of the year perishes as a result of pathogens in the food they eat," says Shelley A. Hearne, managing director of the Pew Health Group. "The Food and Drug Administration, which is responsible for the safety of over 80 percent of the foods we eat, does not have the tools or resources it needs to sufficiently protect the public from dangers in the food... (EurekAlert!)
Safeway recalls ground beef Aug 8, 2009
According to a news release from Safeway, the ground beef is contaminated with salmonella Newport, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella Newport infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and people with HIV infection or who are under chemotherapy. (Sierra Vista Herald, AZ)
Beef from Fresno recalled Aug 7, 2009
Consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella Newport can cause salmone 00004000 llosis, one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses. Salmonella Newport infections can be life-threatening, especially to those with weak immune systems, such as infants. (Fresno Bee -- Business)
Food Safety Bill Denied in House Jul 31, 2009
The bill would give the Food and Drug Administration new authority to order recalls and require the agency to develop a system for better tracing the source of foodborne illnesses (AP / CBS) ... The bill would give the Food and Drug Administration new authority to order recalls and require the agency to develop a system for better tracing the source of foodborne illnesses. (CBS News)
RESEARCH MAKING FOOD SAFER, EXECUTIVE SAYS Jun 17, 2009
The head of a North Little Rock company that specializes in preventing foodborne illnesses sought to dispel a number of myths about food safety Tuesday ... He said 5,000 deaths in the U.S. a year are attributed to foodborne illnesses and 76,000 are treated for sickness caused by contaminated food. (Pine Bluff Commercial, AR)
Film offers troubling view of U.S. food industry Jun 6, 2009
An alliance of trade associations that represent the nations meat and poultry producers have set up a Web site to counter virtually every claim in the documentary, from the contention that E. coli contamination could be reduced by feeding cattle grass instead of grain, to charges that federal inspection agencies are understaffed and ineffective, and foodborne illnesses are on the rise. The food industry says the film has an astonishing number of half-truths, errors and omissions and... (MSNBC -- Movies)
How to keep summer foods fresh and safe Jun 4, 2009
But the warm weather also brings an increase in foodborne illnesses when food sits out in hot, humid conditions. Make sure your summer party is memorable for reasons other than food poisoning by taking steps to keep food fresh and safe. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, TX)
Practice Safe Grilling May 27, 2009
While I can't prevent you from grabbing hold of a hot grill or committing the dreadfully painful self-shish kabob, I can help steer you away from the menace of foodborne illnesses. Let's walk through a typical grilling experience and take a look at where the danger lies and some simple ways to avoid it. (KFOXTV.com, TX)
Marketing Briefs: Consumers express confidence in beef industry efforts May 6, 2009
More than two-thirds of consumers in this survey said they believe the number of food recalls and foodborne illnesses is on the rise, especially on the heels of recall news related to peanut products. Just 49 percent of consumers answered in the same way in November 2008. (Midwest Bulls Eye, NE)
Raw deal? Some feed their pets uncooked diet Apr 28, 2009
But most vets fear foodborne illnesses, say trend can harm the furry foodies. Duane Hoffmann / msnbc. (MSNBC -- Health)
State, local changes seen as key to food safety Apr 18, 2009
State and local agencies have difficulty preventing and responding to outbreaks of foodborne illnesses because of chronic underfunding, varying levels of resources, different methods in addressing food safety and barriers preventing collaboration, the researchers said in a report. "It really starts with the reality that they are the foundation of the system," said Michael Taylor, a professor of health policy at George Washington University who helped write the report. (MSNBC -- Health)
Better science increasingly reveals salmonella Apr 2, 2009
Salmonella is the most common cause of foodborne illnesses nationwide ... 4 million cases of foodborne illnesses in the United States -- and 500 deaths, according to the CDC. That's far more cases than those identified as part of nationwide outbreaks. (Fresno Bee)
Whats OK and what totoss in your fridge or freezer Mar 28, 2009
Benne Ochs / Getty Images stockEach year, 76 million Americans fall sick with foodborne illnesses, estimates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ... Each year, 76 million Americans fall sick with foodborne illnesses and 5,000 die of them, estimates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (MSNBC -- Health)
Appointment of Margaret Hamburg to Lead FDA Lauded by Gov. Lowell Weicker, President of the Board of Trust for America's Health Mar 15, 2009
"We are pleased and proud that President Barack Obama has selected Peggy Hamburg to serve as FDA Commissioner. With this selection, the President is sending a strong signal that the public's health and safety will be the top priorities of the nation's largest regulatory agency. Peggy has the expertise and judgment needed for this challenging position, and the American people should rest assured that she will always act in their best interests and that her decisions will be grounded in science... (PR Newswire)
Take care to prevent foodborne illnesses Feb 25, 2009
Foodborne illnesses come from food contaminated by a pathogen ... You can reduce your risk of getting foodborne illnesses by remembering that prevention starts when you buy food, and continues when you store, prepare, cook and serve the food at home. (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Why tracking salmonellaoutbreak took months Feb 24, 2009
Its that whole idea of finding needles in haystacks, said Dr. Robert Tauxe, deputy director for foodborne illnesses at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We would like virtually all of the salmonella to be tested if we can. (MSNBC -- Health)
MGH faulted for delaying contagious alert Feb 20, 2009
A leader of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, a professional organization, said the insistence on speedy reporting reflects 21st century realities, including concerns about outbreaks of foodborne illnesses as well as drug-resistant infections caught while in the hospital. As a result, elite hospitals once confident in their ability to handle events internally have been forced to embrace openness, said Dr. William Schaffner, of the infectious disease group. (Boston Globe)
Economic downturn prompts more home cooking, family meal times (1235) Feb 16, 2009
Lakeside South wrote on Feb 15, 2009 10:04 PM:" This is a good thing for families!!! Parents will get more 'in touch' with their children and hopefully some of society's woes will lessen.Plus fixing your own meals is healthier because you know the quality of your ingredients and you really lessen the chance of getting listeria, salmonella and other foodborne illnesses. ". Blessings wrote on Feb 15, 2009 3:37 AM:" The sour economy could have a very sweet effect on families. It's about time we all... (Northwest Indiana Times)
Salmonella tough to stop Feb 12, 2009
FSIS inspectors provide a thin line of protection against foodborne illnesses. FSIS tries to uphold a federal mandate to have at least one inspector performing continuous inspection during every shift in a slaughter facility. (MSNBC -- Health)
