Two weeks ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned consumers against eating any variety of pre-packaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough products due to the risk of E. coli contamination.

Last week, the FDA advised consumers to avoid two brands of pistachios – California Prime Produce and Orange County Orchards – which were linked to a salmonella-related recall, but may have been repackaged by Orca Distribution West, Inc. and sold in airports and hotels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also reported that about 41,280 pounds of beef products are being recalled by JBS Swift Beef Company of Greeley, Colo. Due to possible contamination with E.coli.

 E. coli and salmonella bacteria can cause abdominal cramping, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, which can be bloody. Although most healthy individuals will recover from E.coli or salmonella infection within a week, young children, older people, and those with compromised immune systems can develop serious complications.

 These food warnings and recalls highlight the issue of U.S. food safety, especially because the FDA only has enough staff to conduct annual inspections of less than 5% of the 150,000 food processing plants and warehouses in the country.

Source:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture.