ecoli

MEMORANDUM

FROM: Sue Grayson and Kimberly Hattaway, NC Division of Environmental Health

RE: Food-related Illness

DATE: 12/5/01

There has been a recent food-related disease outbreak involving 40 children in a Robeson County school. The bacteria responsible for the outbreak are E. Coli 0157:H7, which can have serious health consequences for humans, including kidney failure.

While this outbreak is still being investigated, one possible source of the contaminant is food brought into the school for a food-tasting project. This underscores the importance of principals and teachers being aware of the risk of food-related illness, especially when food that is not prepared by the school cafeteria is served to students. At this time of year, with holiday parties, such awareness is particularly necessary.

To protect themselves and their students from possible disease from E. Coli, principals and teachers should follow these specific guidelines:

Ground beef and venison should be cooked thoroughly.
Only pasteurized milk and fruit juice should be served.
Fresh fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly before serving.

For more information about food safety, principals and teachers should call their local health departments. The following web sites also have lots of information about food safety: www.foodsafety.gov, www.cdc.gov, and www.fda.gov.