>
> Date: Thu, 16 Mar 2000 13:41:37 -0800
> From: Charles Benbrook <benbrook@hillnet.com>
> Subject: E. Coli 0157
>
> If
> there is an affordable quick test for E.Coli 0157 that could be used in
> finished compost, the organic industry should consider adding it to the
> list of standard operating procedures. If one does not now exist, someone
> should work on it, because this problem is not going to go away and all
> sectors of agriculture have to become more diligent and sophisticated in
> avoiding problems.
There are 4 species noted for their
illness-causing ability. The other hundreds of e-coli
variants are considered benign and/or helpful.
Specific names from the FDA web site concerning
human-affecting food-borne pathogenic microorganisms and
natural toxins lists:
Enterovirulent Escherichia coli Group (EEC Group)
Escherichia coli - enterotoxigenic (ETEC)
Escherichia coli - enteropathogenic (EPEC)
Escherichia coli O157:H7 enterohemorrhagic (EHEC)
Escherichia coli - enteroinvasive (EIEC)
In addition to these pathogens there are dozens of others
that are real threats to people.
PATHOGENIC BACTERIA
Salmonella spp.
Clostridium botulinum
Staphylococcus aureus
Campylobacter jejuni
Yersinia enterocolitica and Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
Listeria monocytogenes
Vibrio cholerae O1
Vibrio cholerae non-O1
Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other vibrios
Vibrio vulnificus
Clostridium perfringens
Bacillus cereus
Aeromonas hydrophila and other spp.
Plesiomonas shigelloides
Shigella spp.
Miscellaneous enterics
Streptococcus
PARASITIC PROTOZOA and WORMS
Giardia lamblia
Entamoeba histolytica
Cryptosporidium parvum
Cyclospora cayetanensis Updated!
Anisakis sp. and related worms
Diphyllobothrium spp.
Nanophyetus spp.
Eustrongylides sp.
Acanthamoeba and other free-living amoebae
Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura
VIRUSES
Hepatitis A virus
Hepatitis E virus
Rotavirus
Norwalk virus group
Other viral agents
NATURAL TOXINS
Ciguatera poisoning
Shellfish toxins (PSP, DSP, NSP, ASP)
Scombroid poisoning
Tetrodotoxin (Pufferfish)
Mushroom toxins
Aflatoxins
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids
Phytohaemagglutinin (Red kidney bean poisoning)
Grayanotoxin (Honey intoxication)
E-coli is the current scare "fad". Looks like a lot of
potential ones are in the wings.
The last I heard there is no problem in the small farm or
organic industry with e-coli of any type. I would like any
references to the contrary.
The most heavily controlled, tested, regulated and inspected
part of the food industry is the part that has exposed the
public to Escherichia coli pathogens!!!! Again, please
correct me if my research is wrong.
In actuality you cannot test, inspect or regulate quality
into a product. It has to be there in the first place.
The incredibly complicated and condescending "system"
implemented by the most powerful country in the world cannot
compete with the health track record of it's small farmer's
informal system.
It's the different discipline and concept that does it, not
the tests for pathogens.
A doom sayer must have 100% control and can spot a potential
fly in a glass of water a mile a way then upon learning the
fly is not there state's "but it could have been". This is
the beginning point of the "consumer protection" racket.
Small farms are consumer protection organizations, not a
racket.
Considering the old saying about an organization soon begins
to resemble the one it was designed to replace then
additional regulatory burdens small and organic farmers
would have to undergo are a way to insure pathogens - not
eliminate them.
Marc S. Nameth
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