Germs on beef

What bacteria are associated with beef?

Published 03/26/2009 05:46 AM   |    Updated 05/05/2011 05:04 PM

What bacteria are associated with beef?

Bacteria can be found on raw or undercooked meat, poultry or fish. Beef must be adequately cooked to eliminate disease-causing bacteria that may be present.

Escherichia coli a rare bacterial strain that produces large quantities of a potent toxin that forms in and causes severe damage to the lining of the intestine. E. coli can colonize in the intestines of animals, which could contaminate muscle meat at slaughter. The disease produced by E. coli is called Hemorrhagic Colitis and is characterized by bloody diarrhea. E. coli O157:H7 is easily destroyed by thorough cooking.

Salmonella may be found in the intestinal tracts of livestock, poultry, dogs, cats, and other warm-blooded animals. There are about 2,000 species of Salmonella. Freezing doesn't kill this microorganism, but it is destroyed by thorough cooking.

Staphylococcus aureus can be carried on human hands, nasal passages, or throats. Most outbreaks are a result of contamination from food handlers and production of a heat-stable toxin in the food. Sanitary food handling and proper cooking and refrigerating should prevent staphylococcal foodborne illness.

Listeria monocytogenes is destroyed by cooking, but a cooked product can be recontaminated by poor handling practices and poor sanitation. FSIS has a zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes in cooked and ready-to-eat products such as beef franks or lunchmeat.

All these bacteria are destroyed by proper handling and thorough cooking. To find a cooking chart for different cuts of beef, go to: Use a Food Thermometer or Beef From Farm to Table.

What can E. coli do to me?

Published 10/05/2009 09:44 AM   |    Updated 03/05/2010 02:04 PM

What can E. coli do to me?

E. coli is short for Escherichia coli. It is a type of bacteria that normally live in the intestines of animals and humans. There are hundreds of different kinds, or strains, of E. coli, some of which are harmful, but most of which are not. One strain, E. coli O157:H7, produces a powerful toxin, or poison, and can cause severe illness, kidney failure and even death. E. coli O157:H7 was first identified in 1982 in the United States when 47 people developed severe stomach disorders.

The symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 are diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and malaise. Symptoms can begin 2 to 5 days after food is eaten, lasting about 8 days. Some, especially the very young, have developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) that causes acute kidney failure. A similar illness, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), may occur in adults.

How can I avoid getting sick from hamburgers?

Published 10/05/2009 09:55 AM   |    Updated 03/05/2010 02:04 PM

How can I avoid getting sick from hamburgers?

To prevent E. coli O157:H7 infection, you should 1. Cook all hamburgers thoroughly. Because ground beef can turn brown before disease-causing bacteria are destroyed, use a digital instant-read meat thermometer to ensure thorough cooking. Hamburgers should be cooked until a thermometer inserted into several parts of the patty, including the thickest part, reads at least 160 °F. 2. If you are served an undercooked hamburger or other ground beef product in a restaurant, send it back for further cooking. You may want to ask for a new bun and a clean plate, too. 3. Avoid spreading harmful bacteria in your kitchen. Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods. Wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops with hot, soapy water after preparing each food item and before you go on to the next item. A solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water may be used to sanitize surfaces, cutting boards, and utensils. Keep family pets away from kitchen counters. 4. Never place cooked hamburgers or ground beef on the unwashed plate that held raw patties. Wash meat thermometers in between tests of patties that require further cooking.

Dangers of E. coli

Published 10/05/2009 10:07 AM   |    Updated 03/05/2010 02:04 PM

What are the dangers of E. coli bacteria?

E. coli (Escherichia coli) are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. Some kinds of E. coli can cause diarrhea, while others cause urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses. One strain, E. coli O157:H7, produces a powerful toxin, or poison, and can cause severe illness, kidney failure and even death. The symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 are diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and malaise. Symptoms can begin 2 to 5 days after food is eaten, lasting about 8 days. Some, especially the very young, have developed hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) that causes acute kidney failure. A similar illness, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), may occur in adults.

How is E. coli O157:H7 spread?

Published 03/26/2009 05:47 AM   |    Updated 03/05/2010 02:04 PM

How is E. coli O157:H7 spread?

The organism can live in the intestines of healthy cattle. Meat can become contaminated during slaughter, and organisms can be thoroughly mixed into beef when it is ground. Bacteria present on the cow's udders or on equipment may get into raw milk. Eating meat, especially ground beef, that has not been cooked sufficiently to kill E. coli O157:H7 can cause infection. Contaminated meat looks and smells normal. Although the number of organisms required to cause disease is not known, it is suspected to be very small. Among other known sources of infection are consumption of sprouts, lettuce, salami, unpasteurized milk and juice, and swimming in or drinking sewage-contaminated water. Bacteria in diarrheal stools of infected persons can be passed from one person to another if hygiene or handwashing habits are inadequate. This is particularly likely among toddlers who are not toilet trained. Family members and playmates of these children are at high risk of becoming infected.

from Ask Karen - answerrs from the U.S. government