E. coli O157:H7 Lettuce Packaging Study
Current packaging conditions do not promote increased virulence of E. coli O157:H7 in bagged, shredded lettuce. That is what scientists at the USDA have written after looking at three lettuce packaging types and determining threat levels of E. coli.
The scientists said widely used Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) provides consumers with the best protection against the food safety threat of E. coli in shredded lettuce. Writing in the Journal of Food Protection, the USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists said the two other packaging types were associated with greater E. coli virulence factors.
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One of the study authors, Manan Sharma, told FoodProductionDaily.com that consumers must be aware that danger levels rise once a package is open. Bags that are not completely consumed should be stored at appropriate temperatures in household refrigerators to minimize temperature abuse. Temperature abuse can lead to clustering of the bacteria.Outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 have been associated with leafy greens on numerous occasions, including a 2006 spinach E. coli outbreak that sickened more than 200 people and killed three. Thirty one of the victims developed life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication that often results in kidney failure and can cause a cascade of damage to other parts of the body -- including the heart and brain. HUS is the leading cause of E. coli deaths and children under the age of 5 are the most prone to suffer from the complication.
If you or a loved one has been sickened in an E. coli outbreak of any kind, your legal questions about an E. coli lawsuit or food poisoning claim will be answered by an attorney at PritzkerOlsen, PA., 1-888-377-8900 (TOLL FREE) or contact us online for a free case consultation.
