Archive for the ‘Food’ Category

Over a half million pounds of ground beef have been recalled due to an outbreak of  e coli poisoning from ground beef distributed by a packing company in western New York. E coli is a bacteria that can cause nausea, vomiting, bloody stools, cramps, diarrhea, and fever. Complications can include  fatigue, weakness and kidney failure. Children may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This is a condition that is life threatening. Ground beef in Tennessee comes from many states – hopefully none from this packer, but the point is that e coli poisoning is potentially life threatening, especially to children. If your child develops signs of food poisoning after eating ground beef, get them to the hospital and have them tested for e coli and treated appropriately. Often the tainted meat is the result of “grinding”  of scraps and meats from several slaughterhouses, none of whom will agree to have their meat, trimmings or scraps tested. Legal claims for e coli poisoning are based on unsanitary handling practices, and in some cases violations of a companies own safety practices.  For a detailed review of how e coli gets into ground beef, click here.