E. Coli 0157:H7

Bacteria can be deadly, and bacteria exists in our food. Logical reasoning concludes from this that our food can be deadly. Apparently the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have known this for years. Only recently, however, has the sinister mutant bacteria E. coli 0157 reared its ugly head. Only precautions taken in the home and by the various food agencies can help prevent these outbreaks in the future.

July 4th is a great time for barbecues, picnics, and various other fun, food-filled activities. One of the most popular BBQ subjects, however, can be the most dangerous. Several reports of bloody diarrhea and severe cramps erupted in Colorado during July, and scientists traced the spontaneous "disease" to hamburgers eaten at barbecues during Fourth of July celebrations. After this way-station was discovered, scientists sought the source, which led them to Nebraska. "Hudson Foods’ beef-processing plant in Columbus, Neb., was shut down indefinitely, and the shell-shocked company glumly complied with a demand from Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman that it recall 25 million pounds of ground beef from supermarkets and fast-food outlets all across the country. Burger King, a major customer, ran out of frozen patties at some locations while the chain scrambled to find alternate beef supplies." (Newsweek, E. Coli Alert, p. 29)

E. Coli 0157:H7 is a mutation of a bacteria naturally found in the intestines of many animals, including humans. Due to its difficulty to detect, it has only been identified since the early 80’s, but is seems to be on the rise. Hamburger is a likely place to get this bacteria, however, due to the grinding (and therefore mixing) of the various meat components. Despite such sinister characteristics, the E. Coli 0157:H7 can be killed in 160-degree heat in a mere 15 seconds. I’ll take mine well-done, thanks.