- Bacteria are commonly found in foods that should never have anything dangerous in
- Company recalls products due to the Salmonella risk
- Danger in your foods: reported listeria outbreaks
- E. Coli bacteria sickens around 265,000 Americans: bacteria found in ground beef and walnuts
Bacteria are commonly found in foods that should never have anything dangerous in
People expect to purchase food at the grocery store and live without any issues. However, parties and gatherings centered around food can even end in disasters and outbreaks when things do not go as planned. Experts say that foods' main types of bacteria are salmonella, E. coli, shigella, Bacillus cereus, listeria, and campylobacter.
These are likely to affect children, senior adults, and those who have issues with their bodies, immune systems, or overall health struggles due to diseases. Some of these common bacteria can be found in raw meat, contaminated produce, other foods, or even water. Toxins produced might lead to intestinal disease, with the main sign being a watery stool.
Bacillus cereus, or B. cereus for short, is a tiny organism that forms spores and releases a harmful toxin. These spores survive when we don't cook foods like rice and pasta properly. Then, when the food cools down, they wake up and start making the toxin. This toxin can make us sick when we eat contaminated food, especially potatoes, rice, and pasta.
Listeria is another germ that lives in the dirt. It hangs out in some people's guts, even if they don't feel sick. This germ mostly bothers pregnant women, older folks, babies, and those with weak immune systems. These germs can occur when we are not expecting[1].
Some of these, like Bacillus cereus and listeria, chill in the soil and surroundings. Others, like Staphylococcus, hitch a ride on our skin or in our noses, then hop onto food. And then there are the not-so-nice ones like E. coli, shigella, and salmonella. They come from poop getting into food and then into our mouths.
Why does eating certain foods sometimes make us sick? Most foods have bacteria, but not all of them can make us ill. It's the bad bacteria that grow too much or produce toxins that cause trouble. How sick we get depends on how many of these bacteria we swallow. Take shigella, for instance. It only takes a tiny bit to make us sick. But salmonella needs a bigger bunch to get us feeling under the weather.
Company recalls products due to the Salmonella risk
Candy companies in the Midwest have issued a massive recall due to possible risks of salmonella tainting in some products. Palmer Candy Company of Sioux City, Iowa, recalls "white coated confectionary items" because they might be contaminated with salmonella. Products are sold in bags, pouches, tubs, and other packaging under various brands.
Candies under brands like Freshness Guaranteed, Palmer, Sweet Smiles, Snackin’ With The Crew, Casey’s, Sconza Chocolates, Favorite Day Bakery, Sunny Select, Urge!, and Kwik Trip Inc were distributed nationwide. Stores selling these candies include popular spots like Walmart, Target and Dollar General. Wholesale distributors received candies in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon, Texas, and other states[2].
As the FDA reports, no illnesses have been reported in connection with these products. However, Palmer Candy was notified by its liquid coating supplier that there was a potential contamination risk. Salmonella was possibly found in an ingredient of one of the suppliers. Production was suspended while the FDA and the company investigated the source of this possible problem.
Consumers are urged to return products to the stores for a full refund. They can also contact the company with any other questions. People who get infected with salmonella bacteria typically suffer diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fever. However, bacteria can get into the bloodstream and cause severe illnesses and hospitalization. Anyone should keep track of their symptoms.
Danger in your foods: reported listeria outbreaks
A recent issue about possible food-borne infections reminded me of other previous instances of these issues. A few months back, the outbreak of listeria in several states put health officials on high alert[3]. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sounded the alarm after linking the deadly bacteria to various dairy products, including popular snacks like queso fresco and Cotija cheese—just in time for the Super Bowl.
Listeria, a stubborn germ, doesn't play by the rules. Unlike other nasty bacteria like salmonella and E. coli, it thrives even in cold temperatures, continuing to grow even while chilling in the fridge. In the US, listeria ranks as the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses, claiming around 260 lives each year, as per CDC data.
What makes listeria especially frightening is its high mortality rate, hovering between 20% to 30%, even with proper antibiotic treatment, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). While healthy individuals might only experience mild symptoms that don't require hospitalization or antibiotics, those with weakened immune systems face grave risks. This includes older adults, organ transplant recipients, cancer patients, individuals with diabetes or kidney disease, and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Pregnant individuals face particular peril, being about 10 times more likely to fall ill from listeria. The illness poses a significant threat to the fetus, with potentially fatal consequences. Pregnant Hispanics are especially vulnerable, often due to consuming traditional soft cheeses like queso fresco, made from unpasteurized milk, which is a prime breeding ground for listeria. The FDA warns that foods made with raw milk are significantly more likely to harbor listeria – up to 160 times more, in fact.
The recent outbreak has already affected 26 people across 11 states, with tragic outcomes in California and Texas. Investigations led by the CDC have pinpointed queso fresco and Cotija cheese from Rizo-López Foods as the source of the infections, prompting recalls and heightened vigilance.
E. Coli bacteria sickens around 265,000 Americans: bacteria found in ground beef and walnuts
These recalls and risks with food are commonly scaring people. Last year, due to a salmonella outbreak, companies needed to recall fruits. The Arizona-based company, known for its distribution of quality produce, found itself in a challenging position when concerns about the safety of its cantaloupes emerged.
In addition to the listeria scare and salmonella issues, another bacterial menace, E. coli, made headlines last week. Federal officials have issued recalls of ground beef and organic walnuts potentially contaminated with E. coli. Ground beef distributed by Cargill Meat Solutions and sold at Wal-Mart stores in 11 states and organic walnuts sold in bulk in natural food and co-op stores in 19 states are affected[4].
While the recalled walnuts have already caused 12 illnesses, including seven hospitalizations, in Washington State and California, fortunately, no illnesses have been reported from the ground beef recall. However, E. coli remains a common source of foodborne illnesses, affecting an estimated 265,000 Americans annually.
Despite these concerning developments, the CDC does not diagnose or track many cases of E. coli infection, as most people recover without medical intervention. It's crucial to remain vigilant about food safety, especially when it comes to dairy and meat products, to prevent further outbreaks and protect public health.
