Obama administration targets food and egg safety

July 8, 11:44 AMSF Health ExaminerRonitte Libedinsky

Previous

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the SF Health Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

(AP Photo/Greg Baker)

In the wake of recent food poisoning outbreaks (peanuts, pistachios, cookie dough, spinach), the Obama administration yesterday promised new regulation that would enact broad changes to the US food system. These rules would reduce the spread of salmonella and E. coli, the bacteria that causes food poisoning in more than 100,000 people a year in the US.

The administration specifically targeted salmonella infection from eggs, which lead to illness in about 79,000 people and to about 30 deaths in the US each year.

According to the new regulation, poultry houses with more than 3,000 chickens will have to adopt preventative measures that include cleaning, disinfection, and refrigeration during egg production, storage and transportation.

Other measures include:

• The creation of a new post, deputy food commissioner, that will be responsible for overseeing food safety within the FDA.

• Implementation of a better tracking system to quickly identify contaminated food, find the source, and remove such food from shelves.

• New rules to prevent E. coli contamination at facilities that handle leafy greens, melons, tomatoes or beef.

Salmonella and E. coli spread by eating raw or undercooked eggs, meat or poultry. The symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramps, and fever. In a small number of people, salmonella can also cause chronic arthritis.

To prevent salmonella and E. coli infection:

• Wash hands, kitchen surfaces and kitchen utensils thoroughly after contact with raw meat, poultry or eggs.

• Wash hands thoroughly after using the bathroom or changing diapers.

• Cook meat, poultry and eggs thoroughly.

• Avoid unpasteurized dairy products or juices.

• Avoid swallowing water from swimming pools.

• Wash hands after handling reptiles or birds.

 For more information: Learn about the causes, sympoms and prevention of E. coli and salmonella infections from the CDC.

New York Times article on the new regulation.