The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Coming soon to a burger, sprouts, salad or glass of unpasteurised juice near you - E.coli! It happens every year. As the temperature rises, so does the prevalence of this dangerous bacteria. The bacteria are naturally present in the intestinal tracts of animals. During processing of cattle, they are distributed throughout ground beef. Through contaminated water or soil, they are sometimes spread to spouts, lettuce, unpasteurized juice or milk. How can you reduce your risk of illness from E.coli as well as other harmful bacteria? - Always cook ground meats to an internal temperature of 710C (1600F). - Rinse all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under cool running water. - Consider avoiding raw sprouts. - Only drink juice or cider that has been pasteurized or is labeled shelf-stable unless you boil it before drinking. For answers to other summer food safety questions and concerns, call 1-800-892-8333 Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (MT). Or log onto the website at www.foodsafetyline.org
