The April 13 issue of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report provided a summary of "Preliminary FoodNet Data on the Incidence of Infection with Pathogens Transmitted Commonly Through Food - 10 States, 2006." The report shows that data collected in 2006 indicated that the incidence of foodborne illness infections caused by E. coli O157 and Salmonella had not declined and were similar to data collected in the baseline years of 1996-1998. While some foodborne illnesses have decreased, the report notes increasing cases associated with foods not previously linked to foodborne disease, such as spinach, tomatoes and peanut butter. According to Dr. Robert Tauxe, deputy director of CDC's Division of Foodborne, Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases, previous efforts to decrease the incidence of E. coli O157 in ground beef and Salmonella in eggs have been successful, but contamination of other foods may be the problem now. The report goes on to state that "further research is needed to understand how contamination of fresh produce occurs so that new measures to reduce such contamination can be developed and implemented." For more information, contact Dr. Jim Gorny, United Fresh senior vice president of food safety and technology at (530) 756-8900.
United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202 303 3400
Fax: 202 303 3433 united@unitedfresh.org
