Food Borne Illness

Food Borne Illness

Sci/163

January 5, 2014

Jan Simoneaux

Staphylococcus, also known, as Staph aureus is bacteria found on the skin and hair and also in the throats and noses of humans and animals (FoodSafety, n.d.). Even healthy people can have the bacteria, but it is more common within people who have eye, nose, throat, or skin infections (FoodSafety, n.d.).

Staphylococcus can be transmitted through food by contamination from the handler and then not storing the food at the right temperature (FoodSafety, n.d.). Another way that food can be contaminated is by the surfaces or equipment used during the preparation (FoodSafety, n.d.). The bacteria multiply rapidly when the food is at room temperature, and it produces a toxin that causes illness (FoodSafety, n.d.). Cooking and pasteurization kill the bacteria (FoodSafety, n.d.).

The Canadian National Exhibition took place in August 2013, in Toronto Canada. Reports show that over 200 people came down with food poisoning at the event (Locker, 2013). Each had eaten something called the “Cronut Burger” made by the company, Epic Burger and Waffle’s (Locker, 2013). The burger consisted of a beef patty topped with processed cheese and a cronut bun slathered with maple bacon jam (Locker, 2013). The maple bacon jam was the vehicle for the staphylococcus (Locker, 2013). The burger company did not make the jam. Le Dolci bakery concocted the jam in question (Locker, 2013). Both companies willingly shut down their operations until further analysis of the maple bacon jam (Locker, 2013). After test results had shown the maple bacon jam to be the offender, the companies were able to start up business as usual (Locker, 2013).

Not long after ingesting contaminated foods, clinical symptoms may begin to show, usually within a few hours after ingesting the tainted foods (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006). Symptoms include stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting (Centers for Disease...