As the first victims of the 2008 International House of Pancakes salmonella outbreak and their spouses took the witness stand Monday, their stories started to sound similar.

Like a bad rash that just won’t go away, talk of ma¬jor legislative change to Canada’s food regulatory system is back. Various academics, think tanks and consultants seem to think that improvements require major legislative change.

Abstract

Abstract This study presents the results of investigations on the susceptibility of Campylobacter spp. strains isolated from chicken meat and giblets to fluorochinolones (ciprofloxacin), macrolides (erythromycin), tetracyclines (tetracycline) and aminoglycosides (gentamicin) and an analysis of the molecular mechanisms of resistance to the selected antibiotics.

Abstract

Abstract (provisional) Background

A Brisbane outlet of Australian fast-food joint Red Rooster has been fined $50,000 after pleading guilty to food standards breaches based on 2009 inspections – the third such conviction for the store. Prosecutor Luke Godfrey said, "It's clear there is a large degree on non-compliance particularly regarding cleanliness.”

This summer there has been a drumbeat of food-related illnesses. Strawberries containing E. coli killed one person in Oregon and sickened at least nine others. Ground turkey contaminated with salmonella poisoned more than 100 people nationwide, with one dead, and prompted one of the largest meat recalls ever. Imported papayas tainted with salmonella sickened at least 99.

Kids will be heading back to school soon and that means colds, flu and other easily shared infections are bound to pick up. But illness and school absenteeism can be significantly reduced through a program of mandatory hand hygiene, according to a recently published study in the American Journal of Infection Control.