"Just Cook it Thoroughly..." Update on 17 State Salmonella Outbreak that Sickened 278 People

[KoKo]

(Is "Tap on the Hand...Just do Better" the new Norm? What about these folks medical bills?)

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Poultry Plant at the Heart of a Salmonella Outbreak Won't Have to Close

U.S. Department of Agriculture lifted a shutdown threat against California-Based Foster Farms on Thursday, after the company demonstrated improved conditions following a salmonella outbreak linked to three of its plants. The outbreak has sickened 278 people in 17 states since March, mostly confined to the west coast, is particularly resistant to antibiotics. 42 percent of those infected have been hospitalized — an unusually high percentage.

Foster Farms had to meet a Thursday deadline to show improvement after receiving a letter from the USDA on Monday, warning the company that the sanitary conditions at its plant "could pose a serious ongoing threat to public health." The letter notes that Foster Farms was cited 12 times since January for unsanitary conditions . The USDA, along with the CDC, have handled the outbreak in the midst of a partial government shutdown. That shutdown has crippled the agencies' ability to handle health crises exactly like this one.

In case you're not clear on what salmonella is, the Associated Press helpfully explains:

Salmonella can contaminate meat during slaughter and processing and is especially common in raw chicken. The infections can be avoided by proper handling and cooking of raw poultry. The pathogen causes diarrhea, abdominal cramps and fever within a few days of eating a contaminated product and can be life-threatening to those with weakened immune systems.

Despite this, Foster Farms has not recalled the chicken connected to the ongoing infection — nor is it required to by law. Instead, the company has advised customers to thoroughly cook chicken. The company's CEO Ron Foster apologized for the outbreak in a note on the Foster Farms' site: "On behalf of my family I am sorry for any foodborne illness associated with Foster Farms chicken," he said.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2013/10/poultry-plant-heart-salmonella-outbreak-wont-have-close/70424/

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Diminished expectations = Banana republic

My apologies to real banana republics.

[djean111]

2. Funny, we were just told to stop washing chicken because it splatters.

Last edited Fri Oct 11, 2013, 04:34 PM - Edit history (1)

I think I will wash and cook thoroughly. I do understand that the microbes or whatever or on the poultry all the time because of processing, plus now there is self-inspection, pretty soon TPP may declare inspection of foods done away with as it may cause someone to lose profit.
Brave new world. Upton Sinclair work undone.

(edited to correct author thnx)

[kestrel91316]

5. I think that was Upton Sinclair,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jungle

I think maybe Sinclair Lewis was Upton Sinclair's nephew?

[djean111]

7. yep. soory. The Jungle. Coming to a meat processing plant near you!

[grasswire]

3. apparently I ate some of the bad chicken

....because at my Kroger today my receipt came with a message about the Foster Farms chicken I purchased last Saturday and ate.

I cooked it more than properly. Simmered those thighs for a long time, then drained, slathered with teriyaki sauce and cooked again.

[KoKo]

9. Well...Glad you are ALIVE to tell the tale...

and didn't end up with huge bill from Emergency Room in Middle of the Night.

It's Good. Just "Cook Thoroughly" and you will be Okay.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

4. I think it's reprehensible these companies aren't severely punished

and that their PR flacks can just say "well, ya gotta cook it thoroughly"!

[kestrel91316]

6. I think it's reprehensible that the USDA cannot order this contaminated chicken to be

removed from stores. We have to rely on voluntary recalls.

These laws are written by meat industry attorneys, of course, and handed to Congresscritters to pass without even looking at them.

[djean111]

8. Well, between austerity cutting down on inspectors,

and what I read about the coming TPP, this will be business as usual soon!