moore2me
Lions don't need to spank
(M2M's note - The following is a partial quote from the CDC.)
http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2011/ecoliO104/
As of June 2, 2011, case counts confirmed by Germanys Robert Koch Institute* include 520 patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a type of kidney failure that is associated with E. coli or STEC infections and 11 deaths.
In the United States, four suspected cases of STEC O104:H4 infections have been identified in persons who recently traveled to Hamburg, Germany, where they were likely exposed.
At this time, a specific food has not been confirmed as the source of the infections. Travelers to Germany should be aware that the German public health authorities have recommended against eating raw lettuce, tomatoes or cucumbers, particularly in the northern states of Germany (Hamburg, Bremen, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig Holstein). United States public health authorities currently have no information that any of these foods have been shipped from Europe to the United States.
The U.S. Department of Defense has been notified of this outbreak because of the presence of U.S. military bases in Germany; there are no known confirmed cases among U.S. military personnel or their dependents at this time. However, reports indicate two U.S. service members in Germany with diarrheal illness are considered suspect cases. For travel information related to this outbreak, please view the article on CDC Travelers Health Website.
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(M2M's note - there are no conclusions at this time that the following food handling steps will stop or minimize this new E-coli. However, these steps will help prevent the older strain we are more familiar with. The CDC has linked this website to their alert published above.)
Below from http://www.foodsafety.gov/
Raw Fruit and Vegetable Preparation Tips
Begin with clean hands. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after preparing fresh produce.
Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce that looks rotten should be discarded.
All produce should be thoroughly washed before eating. Wash fruits and vegetables under running water just before eating, cutting or cooking.
Many precut, bagged produce items like lettuce are pre-washed. If the package indicates that the contents have been pre-washed, you can use the produce without further washing. (M2M's note - In those of us who already have weakened immune systems, I recommend washing these salad mixes again before you use them. I use a salad spinner and tap water and it does the job quickly and neatly. Discard and pieces that look spoiled.)
Even if you plan to peel the produce before eating, it is still important to wash it first.
Washing fruits and vegetables with soap or detergent or using commercial produce washes is not recommended.
Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush (M2M's note - And dry it, before you slice it.)
Drying produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel may further reduce bacteria that may be present.
(M2M's note - If gathering your own fruit & veggies - Do not use any items that have dropped from the vine or tree to the ground. This includes apples, plums, tomatoes, oranges, peaches, etc. When fruit is on the ground there is a good chance is becomes contaminated with animal feces and urine, is more accessible to pests, and contaminated ground water. Plus, once fruit has left the tree or vine, and hit the ground, most bruise and start to degrade or decay and build up bacteria [such as E-coli].)
http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2011/ecoliO104/
As of June 2, 2011, case counts confirmed by Germanys Robert Koch Institute* include 520 patients with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a type of kidney failure that is associated with E. coli or STEC infections and 11 deaths.
In the United States, four suspected cases of STEC O104:H4 infections have been identified in persons who recently traveled to Hamburg, Germany, where they were likely exposed.
At this time, a specific food has not been confirmed as the source of the infections. Travelers to Germany should be aware that the German public health authorities have recommended against eating raw lettuce, tomatoes or cucumbers, particularly in the northern states of Germany (Hamburg, Bremen, Lower Saxony, and Schleswig Holstein). United States public health authorities currently have no information that any of these foods have been shipped from Europe to the United States.
The U.S. Department of Defense has been notified of this outbreak because of the presence of U.S. military bases in Germany; there are no known confirmed cases among U.S. military personnel or their dependents at this time. However, reports indicate two U.S. service members in Germany with diarrheal illness are considered suspect cases. For travel information related to this outbreak, please view the article on CDC Travelers Health Website.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(M2M's note - there are no conclusions at this time that the following food handling steps will stop or minimize this new E-coli. However, these steps will help prevent the older strain we are more familiar with. The CDC has linked this website to their alert published above.)
Below from http://www.foodsafety.gov/
Raw Fruit and Vegetable Preparation Tips
Begin with clean hands. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with warm water and soap before and after preparing fresh produce.
Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fresh fruits and vegetables. Produce that looks rotten should be discarded.
All produce should be thoroughly washed before eating. Wash fruits and vegetables under running water just before eating, cutting or cooking.
Many precut, bagged produce items like lettuce are pre-washed. If the package indicates that the contents have been pre-washed, you can use the produce without further washing. (M2M's note - In those of us who already have weakened immune systems, I recommend washing these salad mixes again before you use them. I use a salad spinner and tap water and it does the job quickly and neatly. Discard and pieces that look spoiled.)
Even if you plan to peel the produce before eating, it is still important to wash it first.
Washing fruits and vegetables with soap or detergent or using commercial produce washes is not recommended.
Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush (M2M's note - And dry it, before you slice it.)
Drying produce with a clean cloth towel or paper towel may further reduce bacteria that may be present.
(M2M's note - If gathering your own fruit & veggies - Do not use any items that have dropped from the vine or tree to the ground. This includes apples, plums, tomatoes, oranges, peaches, etc. When fruit is on the ground there is a good chance is becomes contaminated with animal feces and urine, is more accessible to pests, and contaminated ground water. Plus, once fruit has left the tree or vine, and hit the ground, most bruise and start to degrade or decay and build up bacteria [such as E-coli].)
