Haven’t we had enough food recalls yet?
Listeria has already killed 15 people in Colorado. Investigators have recalled cantaloupe from “Jensen Farms” since this outbreak started in Colorado last month.
Now, cartons of lettuce shipped under “True Leaf” from California have been recalled for having this deadly bacteria.
When will it stop? These recalls are due to unsanitary conditions. Listeriosis is an infection caused by foods contaminated with a bacteria called “Listeria monocytogenes”. It is a food poisoning that comes from contaminated soil or manure. Raw milk or foods made from raw milk can also carry this bacteria.
Symptoms of listeria can be high fever, muscle aches, diarrhea and headache. It is especially concerning among the elderly population, those with weakened immune systems, as well as newborns and pregnant women.
We may see more of this illness rise because this bacteria has an incubation period (the time when you have been exposed to the infection and when you become ill) of up to 2 months.
The newest recall is for 80,000 pounds of beef in California for possible E. Coli (Escherichia coli 0157:H7) contamination.
These bacteria are supposed to be controlled in American food products. Is it that our regulatory systems have failed, or is it our farmers who have taken a back seat?
E. Coli is due to improper handling of beef and milk. Consuming raw or undercooked beef or drinking raw milk are the most common causes. And can we please wash our hands ?
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The most interesting part of this article is the list of the food outbreaks in the U.S. Unfortunately, the list will probably continue to grow…
Listeria death toll climbs to 15 nationwide – The Denver Post: “”
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