Contamination News and Research

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Rapid test to screen blood approved by the FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given it's approval for the first rapid test to detect bacterial contamination in blood platelets prior to transfusion.

20 Sep 2007

FDA clears for marketing rapid test to screen for bacterial contamination in blood platelets

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared for marketing the first rapid test to detect bacterial contamination in blood platelets prior to transfusion.

18 Sep 2007

What a dirty lot many American men are!

An observational study sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and the Soap and Detergent Association (SDA), has found that almost a third of American men leave public restrooms without washing their hands.

18 Sep 2007

Cooked ham could soon be given a 39 day shelf life

Cooked ham could soon be given a 39 day shelf life, according to scientists speaking today (Tuesday 4 September 2007) at the Society for General Microbiology¡¦s 161st Meeting at the University of Edinburgh, UK, which runs from 3-6 September 2007.

4 Sep 2007

Leafy greens and E. coli

The rise in year-round consumption of fresh leafy greens such as lettuce and baby spinach is increasing the difficulty of keeping produce free from contamination by food poisoning bacteria, according to US scientists speaking at the Society for General Microbiology's 161st Meeting at the University of Edinburgh, UK, which runs from 3-6 September 2007.

3 Sep 2007

One species' entire genome discovered inside another's

Scientists at the University of Rochester and the J. Craig Venter Institute have discovered a copy of the entire genome of a bacterial parasite residing inside the genome of its host species.

30 Aug 2007

ReBuilder Medical Technologies secures license to manufacture electronic molluscum contagiosum treatment system

ReBuilder Medical Technologies, Inc. has announced that it has negotiated an exclusive license from White Hall, Inc. for the micronized, amorphous silver ion technology to treat the highly contagious skin disease, Molluscum Contagiosum.

28 Aug 2007

Migration of antibiotic resistance from animal feeding operations into groundwater

The routine use of antibiotics in swine production can have unintended consequences, with antibiotic resistance genes sometimes leaking from waste lagoons into groundwater.

22 Aug 2007

Natural antimicrobial agents for food safety

Two items high on the list of public concerns are the need for greater food safety and a growing demand for natural or organic food products.

22 Aug 2007

E.coli in the UK kills one and makes eight others sick

In the latest food scare in the UK investigators continue to try to pinpoint the source of an E.coli outbreak.

15 Aug 2007

Latest food scare in the U.S. - canned green beans

The latest food scare to hit North America again involves canned food; this time the culprit is green beans.

6 Aug 2007

Foodborne illness and fresh produce

Once was the day that beef was considered a primary source of foodborne illness.

2 Aug 2007

Sewage-contaminated groundwater found at offshore reefs of upper Florida Keys

Athens, Ga. A new University of Georgia study finds that sewage-contaminated groundwater is reaching the offshore reefs of the Upper Florida Keys, possibly threatening corals and human health.

25 Jul 2007

More products recalled in botulism scare

Concerns in the U.S. over cans of chilli contaminated by a bacteria which causes botulism, which prompted a recall of the products, has now been extended to include chilli, beef stew and other canned meat products, as well as four pet food products.

23 Jul 2007

DNA analysis of Egyptian Pharaoh

Preliminary results from DNA tests carried out on a mummy believed to be Queen Hatshepsut is expected to support the claim by Egyptian authorities that the remains are indeed those of Egypt's most powerful female ruler.

From The University of Manchester 17 Jul 2007

Popular snack food involved in latest food scare in the U.S.

In the latest food scare to hit the United States consumers are being warned not to eat a popular snack food because of contamination from Salmonella.

2 Jul 2007

Listeria pathogen may be key to understanding cancer development

A research team including University of Central Florida Microbiology Professor Keith Ireton is using the bacterial pathogen Listeria Monocytogenes to understand the mechanisms of cell growth and cancer development.

29 Jun 2007

FDA cautions on Veggie Booty snack food

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat Veggie Booty snack food, marketed by Robert's American Gourmet, due to possible contamination with Salmonella Wandsworth, bacteria that cause gastrointestinal illness.

29 Jun 2007

FDA cracks down on dietary supplements

It's taken a few years but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. has finally established a set of regulations to ensure good manufacturing practices for dietary supplements.

25 Jun 2007

FDA makes final ruling on dietary supplements

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced a final rule establishing regulations to require current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) for dietary supplements.

22 Jun 2007