Re: e. coli in organic food

Gord Hawkes (logcabinorchard@cyberus.ca)
Sat, 23 Jan 1999 10:48:59 -0500

E-Coli 0157 has become a very popular topic of conversation among all
producers of fruit and vegetables. I am an apple grower in eastern
Ontario, Canada which will receive certified organic status this year
(we're so excited about the certification that thought I'd throw that in).
E-Coli has become big news in the apple industry due to its presence in
unpasteurized apple cider (juice) in a number of areas. However, I have
been advised that its origin does not appear to be strictly related to
cattle - any information on its origin and whether it is strictly related
to cattle would be appreciated.

----------
> From: Wiediger, Alison <awiediger@Hart.k12.ky.us>
> To: Jim and Jo at Five Springs Farm <fsfarm@mufn.org>;
sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu
> Subject: RE: e. coli in organic food
> Date: Friday, January 22, 1999 12:59 PM
>
> The "new" dangerous e-coli only lives in the rumens of cattle that are
> on mostly grain diets - i.e. feedlot cattle (or some confinement
> dairies). A study by Cornell University shows that cattle being fed on
> forage do not carry this organism. Also, cattle that are on feedlots
> that are fed forage (hay) for as little as 5 days no longer shed the
> organism. Some folks think that feeding hay for a few days before
> slaughter makes a lot more sense than irradiating all meat. Also, if
> your manure is from animals on forage based systems (pasture and hay),
> the e-coli is not likely to be a problem in the manure.
>
> Alison
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Jim and Jo at Five Springs Farm [SMTP:fsfarm@mufn.org]
> > Sent: Friday, January 22, 1999 9:22 AM
> > To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu
> > Subject: e. coli in organic food
> >
> > You can call it organic bashing if you want, but there is an issue to
> > be
> > dealt with here. The biggest problem is the relatively new e. coli
> > 0157:H7,
> > which is apparently able to survive in a broader range of habitats and
> > conditions than other forms. Including the problem that it is not
> > broken
> > down thoroughly in the human digestive system. Organic folks are
> > getting
> > the rap for this since many of us do use manure on our gardens. The
> > bacteria can live in fresh manure and become a problem in crops that
> > it
> > comes into contact with. We have had some questions from our CSA
> > members
> > after a letter in Time magazine made reference to it. This issue will
> > not
> > be going away, and it deserves our attention.
> >
> > The best answer, if you use manure in your gardens, is to hot compost
> > it
> > before putting it on the garden. What I am curious about, and have
> > found
> > nothing on yet, is 1) is it a problem only or especially in cow manure
> > 2)
> > if raw manure is put on a garden in the fall before a spring or summer
> > crop
> > is there still any danger
> >
> > Jim at Five Springs Farm
> > and "The Community Farm" newsletter
> > A Voice for Community Supported Agriculture
> >
> >
> >
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