Tag Archives: e coli

Kids + Shopping Carts = Stomachaches

A few years back numerous studies were done to detect how much bacteria covered grocery store shopping cart handles. The studies confirmed that shopping cart handles had more germs than public restrooms. Researchers made their rounds on TV news programs claiming that shopping carts were one of the worst public places for germs and that shoppers should take precautions. Now, it seems some grocery store customers are getting help from the government (well, at least residents in Arkansas are) to stay healthy while shopping. State lawmakers are trying to pass a law to get stores to clean their carts. The … Continue reading →

What Is E. Coli?

With the recent cases of E. coli infection in twenty states thanks to contaminated spinach from California, you may be wondering what it is, what it does, and how it spreads. Escherichia coli is a bacteria with hundreds of different strains. The current E. coli outbreak is specifically caused by E. Coli O157:H7, a leading cause of food borne illness. Every year in the United States, there are approximately 73,000 cases of E. coli infection. The bacteria was first recognized in 1982, when an outbreak of severe diarrhea and abdominal cramping was traced back to undercooked, contaminated hamburgers. How does … Continue reading →

What You Need To Know About Contaminated Spinach

More than 170 people in twenty different states have been infected with E. coli from eating contaminated fresh spinach. Do you know what is safe to eat and what should end up in the trash? Here is all the important information you need about contaminated spinach and E. coli. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control is advising people to avoid fresh spinach that comes from Monterey County, San Benito County, and Santa Clara County in California. Spinach grown outside those three counties is safe for consumption. Frozen and canned spinach are safe for consumption. If you cannot verify the origin … Continue reading →

Fitness & Health Alert: FDA Warning About Spinach

The FDA released a warning on bagged spinach this week: FDA Warning on Serious Foodborne E.coli O157:H7 Outbreak The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing an alert to consumers about an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in multiple states that may be associated with the consumption of produce. To date, preliminary epidemiological evidence suggests that bagged fresh spinach may be a possible cause of this outbreak. Based on the current information, FDA advises that consumers not eat bagged fresh spinach at this time. Individuals who believe they may have experienced symptoms of illness after consuming bagged spinach are … Continue reading →

Travel Health: Safe Food

Contaminated food and drink can be an easy way for infection to slip into a traveler’s body. Among the common infections that can come from contaminated food and drink are dysentery, E. coli, noroviruses, and hepatitis A. Other diseases like cholera, parasites, and typhoid fever are less common, but may still be a danger. How do you keep your food safe? Be selective. Any and all raw food may be a source of contamination. That includes salads, uncooked vegetables, unpasteurized milk, cheeses, shellfish, and raw fish. Even food that has been cooked can be bacterial playgrounds if the food has … Continue reading →