Yet another potential E. coli contamination stung North America's produce sector Monday morning, when the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued an official public warning about Dole brand Hearts Delight lettuce salad.
The agency says the ready-to-eat blend of romaine, green leaf and butter lettuce hearts may be contaminated with a strain of E. coli bacteria.
The affected product, produce of USA and likely distributed nationally, is sold in 227-gram packages bearing
UPC 0 71430 01038 9,
BIUB (best if used by) date 07SE19 and
lot code A24924B.
There haven't been any reported illnesses associated with the product as of yet, but for the agency it's better safe than sorry since the bacteria can cause life-threatening illnesses.
Food contaminated with this specific strain of E. coli may not even look or smell spoiled but symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea. Some affected individuals can also suffer seizures or strokes and some may even need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis, or sustain permanent kidney damage.
CFIA officials planned to work with importers in a hurried attempt to remove all of the affected product from the marketplace. For more information, call them at
1-800-442-2342.
Preventing Foodborne Illnes (
Courtesy Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
What is foodborne illness?
Food contaminated by bacteria, viruses and parasites can make you sick. Many people have had foodborne illness and not even known it. It's sometimes called food poisoning, and it can feel like the flu. Symptoms may include the following:
-
stomach cramps
-
nausea
-
vomiting
-
diarrhea
-
fever
Symptoms can start soon after eating contaminated food, but they can hit up to a month or more later. For some people, especially young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, foodborne illness can be very dangerous.
Public health experts estimate that there are 11 to 13 million cases of foodborne illness in
Canada
every year. Most cases of foodborne illness can be prevented by using safe food handling practices and using a food thermometer to check that your food is cooked to a safe internal temperature!
What is
Escherichia coli O157:H7?Escherichia coliO157:H7 (
E. coli) bacteria are found naturally in the intestines of cattle, poultry and other animals. If people become infected with these bacteria, the infection can result in serious illness. Several other types of
E. coli can also infect people and cause illness.
What are the symptoms of
E. coli infection?
Symptoms can develop within hours and up to 10 days after ingesting the bacteria, characterized by severe abdominal cramping. Some people may also have bloody diarrhea (hemorrhagic colitis). Others infected with the bacteria may not get sick or show symptoms, but they can carry the bacteria, and spread the infection to others.
How serious is the infection?
Most people recover within seven to 10 days, but up to 15 percent develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), an unusual type of kidney failure and blood disorder, which can be fatal.
Symptoms of HUS vary, depending on the person's health and the extent of the infection. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with side effects like permanent kidney damage. Although everyone is susceptible to
E. coli
infection, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, young children and the elderly are most at risk for developing serious complications.
How does the bacteria spread?
E. coli bacteria can sometimes contaminate the surface of meat when animals are slaughtered, despite precautions. In highly processed or ground meat, the mechanical process can spread the bacteria through the meat. Raw fruits and vegetables can become contaminated with pathogens while in the field, by improperly composted manure, contaminated water, wildlife and poor hygienic practices of the farm workers.
E. coli bacteria are most often spread from person-to-person. Both animals and people infected with the bacteria can be carriers. Therefore, proper hygiene, safe food handling and preparation practices are key to preventing foodborne illness. If you think you are infected with
E. coli bacteria or any other gastrointestinal illness, do not prepare food for other people unless you wear disposable gloves and follow safe food handling procedures. It's also a good idea to keep pets away from food storage and preparation areas.
Foodsafe tip:
Gloves can pick up bacteria too. Change gloves frequently and wash gloved hands as often as bare hands.
Where has
E. coli O157:H7 been found?
Food can become contaminated with
E. coli
during the slaughter and processing of an animal, when food is handled by a person infected with
E. coli
or from cross-contamination because of unsanitary food handling practices. The following listed below have been responsible for foodborne illnesses:
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ground beef
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raw fruits and vegetables, including sprouts
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untreated
water
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unpasteurized
(raw) milk and (raw) milk products, including raw milk cheese
-
unpasteurized
apple juice/cider
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petting zoos
Should I eat unpasteurized products?
Pasteurization destroys
E. coli O157:H7 and other harmful bacteria. If you choose to eat or drink
unpasteurized dairy products or drink unpasteurized juice/cider, be aware! Food safety experts don't recommend
unpasteurized products, particularly for young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems. It's safest to drink only pasteurized dairy products. Drink juice/cider that is shelf-stable or labelled as pasteurized, or boil
unpasteurized juice/cider before you drink it.
Will cooking destroy the bacteria?
Like many other harmful bacteria that could be in our food,
E. coli O157:H7 are destroyed when food is cooked to a safe internal temperature. Use a digital food thermometer to measure the internal temperature of your food.