Another Salmonella Outbreak Courtesy of Foster Farms

If you've watched or read the news lately, you’re likely familiar with the name Foster Farms. The California-based business is famed for its farm-raised poultry… and salmonella scares, of course. Since March, 2013, the company has been blast beaten with continual health-related infestations (obviously they’re unfamiliar with microbiological testing). But it seemed as though the salmonella situation was contained… until it wasn’t.

Over 500 people within 25 U.S. states have developed serious cases of food poisoning directly linked to the latest salmonella strain within the Foster Farms slaughter houses. Most of the states have contained their outbreak to single digit sufferers, but California and Arizona have the highest numbers or reported cases. Arizona is currently holding steady at 25, while California has reported 399. That’s over 75% of the reported cases nation-wide. Almost 40% of the total victims have sought medical assistance; which is significantly higher than previous bacteria-based outbreak totals. Fortunately, no one has died from this flare-up thus far.

But just how did this happen? Contaminants are prevalent in animal-based factories to some degree. With the proper testing and microbiology quality assurance, all concerns could have been remedied upfront. But when improper handling and storage of meat occurs, bacteria spreads at a rapid pace. Salmonella Heidelberg is the new strain which is causing the latest food poisoning concerns due to its resistance to chemical and antibiotic treatment.

Automated microbiology must be applied to prevent these situations. While the strain responsible may not react to current salmonella treatments, further concerns can easily be treated with microbiological testing from the beginning. Specific microbiology instruments are utilized to go beyond typical pathogen testing in order to alienate and destroy the most stubborn bacterial culprits. If more companies worried more about the potential health concerns and less about the bottom line, scares like this could be avoided.

The U.S Department of Agriculture recently became involved by issuing a public health alert directly naming Foster Farms once again as the culprit for this latest eruption. Foster Farms, thereby retaliated by blaming the general public for mishandling and under-cooking the meat. While that does happen due to human error, it’s very unlikely that occurred for every person who suffered from the current outbreak. The company does insist that it’s doing everything it can to pinpoint any potential cause of the bacteria on their end.

The Center of Disease Control and Prevention has reported that over 40 new food poisoning cases have been reported since the beginning of March of this year, and more may sweep in within the next several weeks. A healthy human body can often shake off the nastiest symptoms of general food poisoning within a week. However, with this strain of salmonella, it seems to be taking patients 2-4 weeks to report their full-blown illness. But this should help give insight to whether you simply have the onset of a mild change-of-season flu or food poisoning. The symptoms of salmonella include: stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, headaches, fever, and chills.

Typhoid Fever can be a result from few strains of salmonella, so it’s essential to receive medical attention if you develop any of the above symptoms. And while adults typically get salmonella by ingesting the bacteria from the flesh or curing liquid, young children and infants can get salmonella by simply inhaling bacteria-laced dust particles. Salmonella can also be spread directly to your pets.

Always practice proper food handling procedures. Wash hands, and any other body part that touches raw meat, thoroughly. Store raw meat away from any other food source, and be sure to thoroughly cook it. Beyond that, it’s always beneficial to insist your meat is microbiologically tested prior to taking it home.

Contact Biolumix to learn more about microbiological testing for salmonella.

Biolumix
3928 Varsity Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: (734) 984-3100
Fax: 734-222-1830
Email: info@mybiolumix.com
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