Poultry perspective
By: Yvonne Vizzier Thaxton
August 31, 2010
The Basics – – Salmonella enteriditis and eggs
(The views and opinions expressed in this blog are strictly those of the author.)
If you are involved with poultry you have probably been asked about Salmonella and eggs at some point during the last few weeks. The recent incidence with Salmonella enteriditis and eggs has put un-necessary fear into many people. So, in case you need some basic information to answer questions, here it is…
Salmonella is a genus of bacteria that commonly live in the intestinal tract of animals and humans. There are over 2,000 types but only a very few can cause human illness. Salmonella enteriiditis is one of those very few human pathogens. It is most commonly associated with illness outbreaks from consuming contaminated shell eggs or egg products that have not been properly cooked.
Eggs can become contaminated in multiple ways. For table eggs, the most common mode of contamination is on the shell. Unlike other organisms, Salmonella enteriditis can penetrate the shell and enter the egg. The other routeis from a hen with an infected ovary. When this happens the eggs have the organism in them when they are laid.
Today, FDA requires that egg producers with over 3,000 laying hens to take steps to prevent Salmonella enteriditis contamination of their eggs. First, they must test the hens to determine whether or not the organism is present. Even then, they must use strict sanitation procedures, including a written biosecurity plan, and keep the eggs refrigerated to minimize bacterial growth.
If then hens are positive, the eggs must be send to a plant equipped to pasteurize them so that the organisms are killed before the egg contents can be marketed. And, the subsequent product must be labeled as coming from a positive flock.
If you are concerned, just make sure you cook your eggs to well done. If you have someone that is ill or on immunosuppressive medication, you should do this regardless of the source of eggs. In the meantime, my local stores don’t sell eggs with any of the recalled labels, so I had mine over easy this morning.
Other Industry News
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“Temple Grandin” a winner at Primetime Emmy Awards
By Dani Friedland
“Temple Grandin,” the HBO movie chronicling the animal welfare expert’s life, won five Primetime Emmy Awards Sunday night, including Outstanding Made for Television Movie.
Claire Danes took home the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie award for her portrayal of Grandin. Julia Ormond, who played Grandin’s mother in the film, won Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie. David Strathairn was named Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his role as Dr. Carlock.
Director Mick Jackson won the award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special. The film has now won a total of seven Primetime Emmy Awards, including two Creative Arts Primetime Emmy Awards announced August 21 for best original score and single-camera editing for a miniseries or movie.
The film had been nominated for 15 Primetime Emmy Awards. (See Movie profiling Temple Grandin garners Emmy nominations on Meatingplace, July 9, 2010.)
Revamped Target stores feature expanded grocery sections
By Dani Friedland
Eight Target stores in Tampa and five in Denver are the latest to get the company’s new layout, which includes expanded grocery sections offering 90 percent of the categories in a standalone grocery store.
The new “open market” grocery sections have interactive displays and wider aisles. Fresh meat, fresh produce and baked goods are available, including national brands as well as Target’s private labels such as Sutton & Dodge USDA Choice beef.
Target says it will add roughly 350 new or redesigned locations in 2010. (See Target building on grocery success to drive growth on Meatingplace, Jan. 25, 2010.)
Minneapolis-based Target Corp. has 1,743 locations in 49 states.
