Sad Week for Meat and Veggie Lovers Everywhere
Aug. 3, 2013— -- 50,000 pounds of meat have been recalled due to the possibility E. coli contamination.
The fourth largest processor of meat in the U.S., National Beef Packing Co., issued the recall, stating, "This recall is voluntary, and there have been no reported illnesses related to the recall. We are working closely with authorities to investigate this matter and are contacting our customers who have purchased this product."
When one 10-pound chub tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, National Beef recalled the ground beef produced on July 18 with a use by/freeze date of August 7. The number of retailers carrying the product is unknown at the moment.
This is not the first time National Beef has recalled its product. Earlier in June, 22,000 pounds of beef were recalled due to fear of the same E.coli strain contamination.
E. coli 0157:H7 is an intestinal disease, causing diarrhea with blood for about a week. It's not pretty.
Severe cases can be life threatening.
Guess Saturday night is sushi night.
Imagine having diarrhea for 57 days. Now stop, that's gross.
Cyclospora infection is an intestinal disease most common in fresh produce. On Thursday, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report stating they have notified of 400 cases of the infection.
One of the possible culprits: bagged salads.
On July 30, The Iowa Department of Public Health has issued an investigation and "implicated a prepackaged salad mix as the source of the outbreak." Their findings suggest "80 percent of these cases had been exposed to the same prepackaged salad mix."
There is no conclusive evidence of the probable cause for the outbreak as of yet. Health officials and the FDA are still investigating.
Nevertheless, it's a sad day for veggie lovers everywhere.
Before panicking, there is still hope for food-consuming organisms.
Healthy alternatives like tofu, that white blob made from soybeans, and corn can't possibly be harmful, can they? Unfortunately, demands for products like soybeans and corn have upset their regional markets, making them too expensive for the rural people who rely on them as dietary staples. Basically, it's good for you and bad for everyone else.
Buen provecho, everybody!
