The costs of foodborne illness are substantial and significant. The November 18, 2009, Chicago Tribune article, “Food Poisoning: Source of E. coli illness often can’t be found“, effectively described the difficulty associated with finding the cause of most foodborne illnesses, and the seeming futility of public health agencies’ efforts in tracing suspected pathogens …
Bacteria in Formula Poses Risk for Infants
In the October 30, 2009, edition of its weekly MMWR publication, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on an investigation in November, 2008, when Cronobacter sakazakii bacteria was isolated in two different infants.[1] As recognized by the CDC, isolation of this organism from human specimens is rare and makes these cases notable. …
The Naming Of Cronobacter Sakazakii
“Classifications are theories about the basis of natural order, not dull catalogues compiled only to avoid chaos.” Stephen Jay Gould, Wonderful Life (1989), 98.
Enterobacter sakazakii, a gram-negative bacillus, is a rare cause of bloodstream and central nervous system infections. In 2007, following extensive study, it was proposed that the original taxonomy of Enterobacter sakazakii…
A Legal History of Raw Milk in the United States
In “A Legal History of Raw Milk in the United States,” an article for the Journal of Environmental Health, I begin with a quote from Winston Churchill: “There is no finer investment for any community than putting milk into babies.” Milk safety and the laws and regulations that have evolved to protect consumers…
Class Action Foodborne-Illness Claims
“Class Action Foodborne-Illness Claims” focuses on the elements of a class action lawsuit, certification of a class, and gives reasoning to the decision behind bringing individual lawsuits on behalf of victims of foodborne illness: Because individuals injured in a foodborne illness outbreak sustain varying degrees of injuries, a class action lawsuit typically is…