eColi

[Skyebirdsmom]

Prepacked Salads Tied To E-Coli

Oct 4, 2005 11:26 pm US/Eastern
WASHINGTON (AP) The Food and Drug Administration is warning people not to eat certain Dole prepackaged salads that have been connected to an outbreak of E. coli infections in Minnesota.

The illnesses have all been associated with Dole salads bought at Rainbow Foods grocery store outlets in the state. But salads carrying the same production codes have been distributed nationwide, prompting the national warning, the FDA said.

At least 11 people have been sickened by a specific type of E. coli that have been connected to the products. Two have been hospitalized. The last reported case connected to the outbreak was reported Sept. 19, the FDA said.

"Given the severity of this illness, FDA believes an urgent warning to consumers is needed. FDA is working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and our state partners to further identify the source of the problem and its scope," said Dr. Robert Brackett, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, in a statement.

The affected Dole products are:

• Classic Romaine, with a "best-if-used-by" date of Sept. 23, 2005 and a production code beginning with "B250."

• American Blend, with a "best-if-used-by" date of Sept. 23, 2005 and a production code beginning with "B250."

• Greener Selection, with a "best-if-used-by" date of Sept. 22, 2005, and a production code beginning with "B250."

The "best-if-used-by" code date is one the upper right hand corner of the front of the bag. Stores probably aren't carrying these salads on their shelves any more, but people may still have some at home. They should be thrown away, the FDA said.

The particular type of E. coli connected to the salads is known as O157:H7. An infection can cause bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Most healthy adults recover within a week, but children under 5 and the elderly are at risk for complications that can lead to kidney damage or death.

[angelwingsaviary]

As dangerous these warnings are to humans, just bear in mind, that our birds ALWAYS are in the danger of getting exposed to water and fresh food related bacteria and parasites.

Birds drink water mostly after eating food. Most parrots soak their food in the water before eating. Most birds bathe in their drinking water. In room temperature, it take only 2 hours for E-coli bacteria to generate at a dangerous level in the water, if there is a trace present (which for most of us there is a trace always present).

Having a strict water hygiene, is THE First step in having healthy birds. Daily water changes, rinsing the water dishes or bottles in diluted bleach water, and most importantly, using water cleaners (There are several safe for birds water cleaner in the market, Sparkle,Saniclens, Kd powder,etc.), and the one that everyone ignores, soaking all fresh vegies minimum 5 minutes in the diluted water cleaner will minimizes the bacterial, fungal, and parasite infections by %98.

Guaranteed!

Most pet bird owners have 2 or 3 cages to deal with. As a breeder, I deal with 20 cages, and an aviary constantly. Still it takes me 30 minutes of precious fun time with my birds to do my daily routine. There is no excuse for avoiding these simple precautions. The water cleaners can also be added to soft food mixtures, hand feeding formulas, and weaning mixtures, as well.

In general, if it's wet, it can be deadly. So clean it, before you serve it.