Abstract: The prevalence of foodborne illnesses is continually on rise. In the U.S.A., Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) has been associated with several outbreaks in minimally processed foods. Spinach and lettuce pose higher food safety risks and recurring food recalls suggest the insufficiency of current disinfection strategies.

LAS VEGAS -- The Southern Nevada Health District is alerting the public to the risk reptiles can pose in the wake of an investigation into six cases of salmonellosis (a potentially serious intestinal illness) in Clark County related to a multi-state outbreak reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Food Standards Agency has today published the third edition of the Q&A on its guidance document E. coli O157: control of cross-contamination. This new version of the Q&A addresses a number of issues that have arisen since the publication of the second edition in November 2011. Among the issues addressed are:

The Food Standards Agency has welcomed the European Food Safety Authority’s recent scientific opinion on poultry meat inspection, which suggested that traditional poultry meat inspection may not be enough to fully address the most relevant biological hazards to public health.