E. coli outbreak now in 6 states..agencies zero in on Taco Bell

[green lantern]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/12/08/ecoli.outbreak/index.html


NEW YORK (CNN) -- As many as 121 people in six states may be infected with the strain of E. coli bacteria involved in an outbreak that may be linked to Taco Bell restaurants, officials said Friday.

Fifty-nine people have been confirmed to have the illness, according to state health agencies, and 62 cases are under investigation. South Carolina and Utah are the latest states to report outbreaks.

State and federal agencies are still trying to pin down the source, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the vast majority of the reported cases involved people who had eaten at Taco Bell restaurants before falling ill.

:eek: :eek:

[Riddley]

Ruh Roh
Fast Food nation (the book), anyone?

[DPlague]

Since I don't know a lot about how to detect E. Coli, does anyone know if there is a way to tell if a food has it (like the green onions mentioned) without having it tested in a laboratory? Maybe by smell or texture or anything?

[The Big Bog]

WHY is this happening so much lately???

[prst31]

Dung beetles?

[prst31]

Since I don't know a lot about how to detect E. Coli, does anyone know if there is a way to tell if a food has it (like the green onions mentioned) without having it tested in a laboratory? Maybe by smell or texture or anything?Not the way I understand it. That's why washing first is always a good idea. Not that it's 100% effective but I think it helps.

[Riddley]

Trust me, I'm a microbiologist, there is no way you can tell if something has E.coli on it and if it is the 0157 variety it can be a couple of 100 to make you sick and that is smaller than a pin point.
Like prst says, wash the stuff and cook it properly.
Big Bog: The reason why this is getting more frequent are 1) improperly trained handlers in meat works 2) Faster throughput 3)Better reporting 4) 0157 is adapted to foodlot processes.
Sucks, huh?

[DPlague]

So if the E. Coli in this case is actually from the green onions, can Taco Bell be held accountable for it? I know from experience in other fast food that when you get the veggies they come packaged and sealed, and you just open'em and put them on the food. You assume that they have been washed and all that before. Or should the fast food resrtaurants stop trusting the fact that the vegetables are sealed and start washing them anyways?

[Riddley]

So if the E. Coli in this case is actually from the green onions, can Taco Bell be held accountable for it? I know from experience in other fast food that when you get the veggies they come packaged and sealed, and you just open'em and put them on the food. You assume that they have been washed and all that before. Or should the fast food resrtaurants stop trusting the fact that the vegetables are sealed and start washing them anyways?

Good point, I would say that if there is a legal requirement for washed veggies to be provided and it proven that the infection came from the veggies then it's not TB's fault. But they shouldn't be putting stuff out that might make people sick so they should wash everything anyway.
Take out message: make it yourself if you want to be really certain.

[Antipathy]

Take out message: make it yourself if you want to be really certain.Or, if you must eat out, eat in reputable restaurants where the kitchen staff are more likely to be better trained in food handling and hygiene.

I avoid the fast-food chains like the plague. Speaking of "plague" that's probably the next nasty disease they'll be spreading!

(No offence DPlague :p)

[jamesrage]

WHY is this happening so much lately???

Produce from third world countries and farmers who hire illegals?

[DPlague]

Or, if you must eat out, eat in reputable restaurants where the kitchen staff are more likely to be better trained in food handling and hygiene.

I avoid the fast-food chains like the plague. Speaking of "plague" that's probably the next nasty disease they'll be spreading!

(No offence DPlague :p)

Aaaah...now if only my "plague" could be spread by fast-food chains. You'd have a nation of alcohol loving comic book geeks... But one can dream I guess :D

[steveksux]

Much ado about nothing. I'm sure if you look closely you will find E. Coli prominently listed on the nutritional labels for Taco Bell Food. If not, its certainly common knowledge...

Its not as if Montezumas revenge has never been linked to Taco Bell before, is it? :D

Next think you know some scientist somewhere will discover that White Castle sliders make you sick. I'm quite sure the military is investigating for any potential applications of explosive diarrhea.. The main problem as I understand it is not the potential explosive energy, that is beyond anything known to man. The problem is finding a suitable timing delay mechanism so that the soldier can evacuate the area beyond the blast radius prior to the blast .

Ahh the wonders of living in the modern age!

Randy

[Riddley]

Much ado about nothing. I'm sure if you look closely you will find E. Coli prominently listed on the nutritional labels for Taco Bell Food. If not, its certainly common knowledge...
It's in the entry of "Material other then food"-97%
White Castle sliders make you sick.
What are they?

[Pulcinella]

Produce from third world countries and farmers who hire illegals?

<mod edit>. Produce contaminated by your own lovely cows, or those cows themselves.

<mod edit>

The spinach in the previous outbreak wasn't contaminated by the pickers, or the packers, it was probably contaminated by the irrigation water - and THAT was probably contaminated by run-off from feedlots. The O:157 <mod edit>

[Tuatara]

In 2000 Taco Bell had to recall it's entire supply of 'Taco Bell Home Originals' taco shells. They were found to contain genetically modified corn which affected the health of many people. The GM ingredient had not been approved for human consumption.
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2465/is_8_30/ai_67448380

Does anyone know if the Green Onions that were used were GM? I know forms of GM microbes have been released into the soil and seeds.
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/GMMINA.php

[jamesrage]

<mod edit>. Produce contaminated by your own lovely cows, or those cows themselves.

<mod edit>

The spinach in the previous outbreak wasn't contaminated by the pickers, or the packers, it was probably contaminated by the irrigation water - and THAT was probably contaminated by run-off from feedlots. The O:157 <mod edit>

I would think that a farmer who would try to cut corners in labor cost by hiring illegals would also cut corners in sanitation and the last time I checked I have never seen any bottled water from Mexico.Hint hint?

[Underling]

So if the E. Coli in this case is actually from the green onions, can Taco Bell be held accountable for it? I know from experience in other fast food that when you get the veggies they come packaged and sealed, and you just open'em and put them on the food. You assume that they have been washed and all that before. Or should the fast food resrtaurants stop trusting the fact that the vegetables are sealed and start washing them anyways?

Just because the veggies are packaged and sealed before being shipped does not mean it's safe after the package has been open. Taco Bell would have to prove that the green onions did not come into contact with the E. Coli through cross-contamination. Employees who care about your health aren't exaclty common in fast food restaurants. It's just about as rare to find a manger who actualy knows the food sanatation laws in their state.

[DPlague]

Just because the veggies are packaged and sealed before being shipped does not mean it's safe after the package has been open. Taco Bell would have to prove that the green onions did not come into contact with the E. Coli through cross-contamination. Employees who care about your health aren't exaclty common in fast food restaurants. It's just about as rare to find a manger who actualy knows the food sanatation laws in their state.

Do you mean cross contamination from another food? Because if so then it would be another food that is to blame here as well and not solely the green onions, which is what it seems to be. But if you meant cross contamination from an employee not practicing safe hygiene then yeah, it would be Taco Bell's fault.