Latest news with #E.coli
New York Post
an hour ago
- Health
- New York Post
Food expert warns ‘one of the riskiest items in the grocery store' seems healthy but can make you deathly ill
Your good health habit could actually get you seriously sick — and you wouldn't know until it's too late. While experts unanimously agree that we should all be eating more fresh, whole foods, a food policy professor has a warning: Danger lurks in your grocery store's produce aisle. Not all fruits and veggies are created equal, and a popular choice for easy meals that save you time could come with the price of contamination. 3 Prewashed bagged greens are one of the riskiest items in the grocery store. Scott Habermann – 'Prewashed bagged greens remain one of the riskiest items in the grocery store,' Darin Detwiler, a professor of food policy at Northeastern University and author of 'Food Safety: Past, Present, and Predictions,' told Huffington Post. 'When you look at past outbreaks, bagged salads have been a leading cause of foodborne illness, with some outbreaks resulting in hospitalizations, kidney failure, and even death.' Those pre-mixed bagged salads can harbor pathogens like listeria, salmonella, and E. coli and pose a higher risk for contamination through the supply chain and are among the worst offenders for food safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food poisoning symptoms from bacteria like listeria or E. coli — which cause infections in the gastrointestinal tract — include nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. According to a 2024 report in the Journal of Foodborne Illness, leafy greens are credited with 'up to 9.2% of known pathogen-caused foodborne illnesses' in the U.S, resulting in over 2.3 million cases of illness each year. What makes these speedy veggies particularly dicey is that heat is required to kill pathogens — and salads are typically eaten raw, making it difficult to reduce the risk of foodborne illness once they reach consumers. Contamination of these mean greens can occur at different stages of production. Produce can be contaminated during lettuce collection by pathogens in the water, soil, or air, or by wild or domesticated animals. Leafy greens are sometimes grown near large-scale cattle operations, a proximity that increases the likelihood that E. coli, salmonella, and listeria could be introduced through contaminated irrigation water. 3 Produce can be contaminated during collection by pathogens in the water, soil, or air, or by wild or domesticated animals. Pormezz – Detwiler cites manure lagoons, large pits where livestock waste is stored, as a common source of food contamination. 'Runoff from manure lagoons can seep into irrigation canals and contaminate fields with deadly bacteria like E. coli,' he said. Post-harvest, lettuce can be compromised through human handling, contaminated equipment, or water used to remove soil. Typically, lettuces from various farms are processed in a centralized area, meaning your bag of greens is more of a menagerie of fetid potential than a single source. 'Greens from different farms are mixed, washed, and packaged together, so one contaminated leaf can impact thousands of bags across multiple states,' said Detwiler. 3 Consider ditching bagged greens entirely and opting for whole heads of lettuce or loose bunches Dan Dalton/KOTO – The large vats that facilitate this washing are also an effective way to spread bacteria. To prevent the proliferation of pathogens, greens must be kept cold; if lettuce is not consistently kept at these cooler temperatures throughout the supply chain, bacteria can easily breed and reach store shelves. But refrigeration just slows bacteria growth, it doesn't kill them. Washing greens is also ineffective at removing pathogens. In fact, doing so also double down on the danger, as doing so can introduce contamination from the sink, utensils, equipment, and the compromised hands of the washer themselves. What's a leaf-eater to do? Consume carefully. Consider ditching bagged greens entirely and opting for whole heads of lettuce or loose bunches. He recommends whole heads of lettuce or spinach, which have less surface area for contamination. Just rinse the leaves under cold running water to remove dirt and surface-level bacteria. If you're bag or bust, Detwiler advises buyers to skip greens that appear wilted, slimy, or discolored and avoid those in packages that look wet, as these signs could indicate improper storage. Further, avoid subjecting your greens to drastic temperature changes. Keeping them in a hot environment or even on the counter at room temperature can create an environment for bacteria to grow and spoilage to take hold. Finally, stay up to date on recalls and double-checking expiration dates, only buying greens that you plan to use within 2 days.
Toronto Star
an hour ago
- Climate
- Toronto Star
Stay out of the water at six Niagara public beaches
According to public health guidelines from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, water is considered unsafe for swimming when one sample contains 400 or more E. coli bacteria per 100 millilitres, or the geometric mean of five samples is 200 or more. Collecting, transporting and testing beach water for E. coli can take a day or more, so the latest available data may not reflect current conditions at the beach. Swimming is not recommended when it's raining, the water is wavy or cloudy, there are lots of birds, or for two days after a big storm. Consuming E. coli can cause serious illness, including stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. When high levels of the bacteria are detected it's more likely that other harmful organisms are present as well, including those that cause skin rashes and eye, ear, nose and throat infections. A beach may also be considered unsafe for swimming due to weather conditions, runoff, pollution, spills, smells, garbage, sharp debris and dead fish. In addition, public beaches are monitored for blue-green algae, which can be highly toxic to humans, dogs and other animals.
Local France
2 hours ago
- Health
- Local France
Two French butchers closed after child dies from food poisoning
Eight children have come down with severe food poisoning since June 12th after consuming meat products from the two businesses in the northern French city of Saint-Quentin. Five of them contracted a rare food-borne illness called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), including a 12-year-old girl who died. HUS in most cases occurs after someone ingests the Escherichia coli bacteria ( commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. Advertisement It is "impossible at this stage to confirm that the consumption of products from these two establishments is the source of the contamination", local authorities said. But the children all consumed meat or meat products from these two butchers a few days before symptoms appeared, it said. Authorities have closed the two shops as a precautionary measure while samples from both stores are tested. The authorities said they should have the results "early next week" and an investigation has been launched into where the meat came from. HUS affects between 100 and 165 children in France each year, according to the country's public health agency.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Two French butchers close after child dies from food poisoning
Two butcher shops in northern France have temporarily closed after a child died from severe food poisoning, said local authorities on Friday. Eight children have come down with severe food poisoning since June 12 after consuming meat products from the two businesses in the northern city of Saint-Quentin. Five of them contracted a rare foodborne illness called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), including a 12-year-old girl who died. HUS in most cases occurs after someone ingests the Escherichia coli bacteria ( commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals. It is "impossible at this stage to confirm that the consumption of products from these two establishments is the source of the contamination", local authorities said. But the children all consumed meat or meat products from these two butchers a few days before symptoms appeared, it said. Authorities have closed the two shops as a precautionary measure while samples from both stores are tested. The authorities said they should have the results "early next week" and an investigation has been launched into where the meat came from. HUS affects between 100 and 165 children in France each year, according to the country's public health agency. bj/ekf/ah/giv
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Toddler fighting for life after swim left her infected with deadly bacteria
A toddler has been left fighting for her life after contracting a deadly condition while swimming in a lake with her family during a day out as doctors fight tirelessly to keep her alive A two-year-old girl has been left in a critical condition after catching three dangerous strains of E. coli following a family day out at a lake. Little Elizabeth Faircloth became seriously ill just days after swimming and boating at Keystone Lake in Oklahoma, US, in early June. What began as a fun day in the sun quickly turned into a medical emergency. Doctors initially believed the toddler had strep throat and prescribed antibiotics - but the medication only worsened her condition, her heartbroken mum Suzanne Faircloth told US outlet KOTV. 'It blows our minds because we've never even heard of anything like this ever happening,' Suzanne said. READ MORE: Man, 55, diagnosed with dementia after doctor noticed one sign before diagnosis Further tests confirmed the devastating diagnosis. Elizabeth had contracted not one but three different strains of E. coli bacteria. The infection triggered Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a rare and potentially fatal complication that can cause kidney failure, brain injury and liver damage. 'It's a nightmare,' Suzanne said. 'And it happened so fast, within like a week, we're here.' Doctors have since placed Elizabeth on dialysis and medically paralysed her to give her fragile body the best possible chance of recovery. The paralysis is a temporary state induced by medication to help reduce strain on her organs. Her aunt, Melissa Lynne, has been sharing updates online, revealing that her kidneys have been the most severely impacted. 'Although the prognosis is hopeful, it will be a very long battle to get her well again,' Melissa said. 'It's uncertain if she will ever recover 100 percent, or if there will be permanent kidney and/or brain damage.' To make matters worse, Elizabeth has also developed a lung infection, but her care team are unable to treat it with antibiotics over fears it could worsen her already fragile state. 'They are working night and day, the staff is amazing, just to keep her stable,' her mum said. 'It kind of feels like you're drowning and you get brief moments of air just enough to keep you alive - but there's no end in sight.' The family have launched a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses, raising more than $8,000 (£6.6k) of their $10,000 (£8k) target so far. In a heartfelt message, they urged other parents to be aware of the symptoms and act fast if their children fall ill after swimming in open water. 'We just can't imagine another child fighting for their life or parents living through this hell, when we could have warned families,' they wrote. 'Stay vigilant, parents, and get your kids in early if symptoms arise after a lake day. The faster you get your kids in, the better the odds.'
