...Running head: Should Corporations Be Criminally Liable Should Corporations Be Criminally Liable for Foodborne Illness Outbreaks? Allen Leckband Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University MGMT 533 Abstract Foodborne illnesses pose a significant risk to public safety and every year millions of Americans are sickened and many die because of improper food handling, preparation, and storage. Government agencies that are responsible for food safety are tasked with regulation and inspections are often ineffective because corporations that fail inspections are not concerned about penalties imposed on them by the USDA and FDA. Civil suits by victims of foodborne illnesses are often difficult to win and do not affect larger corporations. The Department of Justice is attempting to prosecute individuals from corporations that are responsible for foodborne illness outbreaks but there is currently no legislation holds individuals from corporations responsible for foodborne illness outbreaks to be held criminally liable. Should Corporations Be Criminally Liable for Foodborne Illness Outbreaks? Introduction Foodborne illness represents a serious threat to everyone in the United States and according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 1 in 6 or 48 million Americans are sickened each year by consuming contaminated foods or beverages resulting in an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. (“Foodborne Illness”, 2014). Foodborne illness...
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...Salmonella Salmonella is a bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract system. Salmonella are found in animals as well as human intestines, it comes through the feces. Increase exposure are International travel where developing countries with poor sanitation. Owning a pet bird or reptile is also a risk factor if they are infected with salmonella bacteria. Stomach has a natural defense against salmonella. Some disorders are antacids, inflammatory bowel disease and recent use of antibiotics can shorten the natural defense. Most people are infected with salmonella by eating foods that are contaminated by feces. The most infected foods are raw meat, poultry, and seafood. When the meat is raw it becomes contaminated in the process of distribution. Seafood is contaminated when the water they are harvest is contaminated. Eggs can be contaminated from infected chicken making the eggs bad before it is form. Fruits and vegetables, mostly imported ones can become contaminated by washing in contaminated water. This mainly occurs when juices from raw meat comes in contact with uncooked foods like salads. The 2008 United States salmonellosis outbreak began in the spring of 2008 when hundreds of people throughout the United States fell ill after consuming contaminated food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration currently believes that the contaminated food products responsible are fresh jalapeño and serrano peppers from Mexico, and perhaps raw tomatoes. Fresh cilantro is also under...
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...choose was Salmonella. Salmonella is a bacteria that causes an infection known as Salmonellosis. A person that is infected with Salmonella gets diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after being infected. Salmonella usually last four to seven days and most people recover without treatment. People with severe diarrhea must be hospitalized. The Salmonella can spread in from the intestines to the bloodstream and other parts of the body and can cause death of not treated quickly with antibiotics. People with a weak immune system, elderly, and infants are more likely to have a severe reaction to the illness. How is this infectious agent transmitted through food or water? Salmonella is spread through food and water by under cooking food and cross contamination. It is present in uncooked meat and on eggs. So when eggs and meats are not cooked properly the bacteria can survive and infect the people who eat it. When you cook the food thoroughly it will kill Salmonella bacteria. Cross contamination is when the bacteria spreads from something that has the bacteria to something that does not. When people use cutting boards, mixers and other kitchen equipment for foods with Salmonella and then use those same equipment for ready to serve food without properly cleaning them can spread the bacteria. What is an example of a real life outbreak of this foodborne illness in the United States? An example of an outbreak of Salmonella in the U.S is the outbreak that occurred...
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...SCI/220 March 31, 2013 Food Safety Bulletin The Miller Times Iowa hatchery linked to salmonella outbreak Local illnesses linked to Iowa hatcheries eggs By William Miller Staff Reporter, The Miller Times Posted: March 9, 2011 In the past week, there have been approximately 30 patients with symptoms of salmonella. Local physician Dr. Donald Kruglet said “ Among the 30 patients only five were hospitalized, 3 elderly males, 1 elderly female, and 1 one child age 6” all other patient were treated and released. The reason for the hospitalization was because of dehydration and low immune system. Department of Public Health and Environment are recalling eggs purchased at the following stores, Safeway, Edwards Market, and Wal-Mart. All local markets are informing customers who purchased eggs from their facility may have infected egg products (The Denver Post, 2010). Anyone who has bought eggs can return the uneaten portion to the store for a full refund, the health department stated (The Denver Post, 2010). To make local residents more comfortable with the outbreak the Miller Times will present basic information to bring awareness to the infection. What is Salmonellosis? Color-Enhanced scanning election Micrograph showing salmonella (red) invading cultured human cell (The Daily Beast, 2010) Salmonellosis is an infection from bacteria call Salmonella. Salmonella can develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually only lasts between...
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...Illness Salmonella SCI/163 Troy Bushman November 18, 2013 1 The infectious agent pathogen that causes salmonella is called salmonella enteritis. The bacteria are larger than a virus; but, are visible to the eye with the microscope. It is rod-shaped, gram negative, non-motile bacteria that do not form spores. Interestingly enough it communicates to its fellow bacteria via AHL. It infects the cell, multiplies within it; and then, bursts the cell. Special effector protein factors are required for salmonella intestinal invasion and the induction of fluid secretion and for inflammatory responses. There are about six names species names of it, salmonella enteritis’s, and salmonella enteric which cause the human disease. “Salmonella is one of the most commonly reported types of food-borne illness. Salmonella is caused by a variety of different bacteria. The ensuing illness is treatable, but in some cases, fatal. Most of the time people aren’t even aware they have salmonella, they think something they ate didn’t agree with them and the symptoms are mild and disappear quickly. I believe no one really takes any action of going to a hospital or to their doctor until the symptoms worsen and become unbearable or scary for them that’s at least what I do, which I shouldn’t because instead of me finding out what problem was solving it quickly, I go through the pain and agony until I can’t take it anymore. Quite often, the mishandling of food products causes salmonella. In many...
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...Epidemic Salmonella Paper Katelynn Stepp SCI/163 Tracy Capili February 1, 2016 Salmonella is a food borne illness and it is most commonly known as food poisoning. It is an illness caused by a bacteria called salmonella enteritidis. This bacteria lives in the intestines of humans and animals and is transferred through fecal matter. When the feces enters into a food or water source and is consumed, it can lead to salmonella infection. Salmonella is typically caused by consuming improperly cooked or handled poultry and eggs. However, it can also be spread through animals such as lizards, turtles and ducks as well. These certain animals are carriers of the bacteria and by handling the animals and not properly washing your hands, the bacteria can be spread. This is a very common way that children contract salmonella because they are not yet consistent on sanitation. Many adults contract the illness by eating the contaminated food though children can contract it through an infected food source as well and vice versa. Symptoms of food poisoning or salmonella can show up anywhere from twelve to seventy-two hours after consumption or exposure. There are several gastrointestinal side effects that include inflammation of the stomach and intestine, fever, chills, headache and body aches or pain. Symptoms can also include, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. These usually last a few days but typically no more than a week. Though rare, the CDC also reports that in a few amount...
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...Salmonella 1 What is the infectious agent (pathogen) that causes this infectious disease? For example, the name of the bacteria, virus, or parasite. Salmonella is a motile, non-spore-forming, gram-negative, rod- shaped bacterium in the family Enterobacteriaceae and the tribe Salmonellae. The genus Salmonella is divided into two species - S. enterica and S. bongori; both of which are pathogenic to humans. However, S. enterica is a greater public health concern and is further divided into 6 subspecies which are then further subdivided into serotypes. Epidemiology and Clinical Significance Depending upon the serotype, Salmonella can cause two types of illness (1) nontyphoidal salmonellosis and (2) typhoid fever. 2 How is this infectious agent transmitted through food or water? Salmonella bacteria can be found in food products such as raw poultry, eggs, and beef, and sometimes on unwashed fruit. Food prepared on surfaces that previously were in contact with raw meat or meat products can, in turn, become contaminated with the bacteria. This is called cross-contamination. Salmonella bacteria are taken in by mouth and it may occur by inadequate cooking, cross contamination or person to person spread. 3What is an example of a real life outbreak of this foodborne illness in the United States? The 2008 United States salmonellosis outbreak began in the spring of 2008 when hundreds of people throughout the United States fell ill after consuming contaminated food. The U.S. Food and...
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...Salmonella Illness Salmonella is a rod shaped bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family. There are two species of salmonella, salmonella bongori and salmonella enterica. The disease caused by the salmonella bacteria is called Salmonellosis, and the symptoms of the disease include stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, chills, fever, and headache. If an infected person only has diarrhea then they should completely recover, but it would take a few months for their bowel movements to return to normal. Sometimes in rare cases, those infected with salmonella can contract Reiter’s syndrome which may eventually lead to chronic arthritis. One of the major complications caused by the bacteria is dehydration caused by constant diarrhea, unless the infection has severely spread antibiotics are not usually needed. To prevent major complications from salmonella drink lots of liquids, to stop the dehydration process. To keep enough nutrition lost from the diarrhea keep on a normal steady diet. Salmonella is a foodborne illness that is common in raw or undercooked foods, such as poultry, eggs, and meat. Vegetables can also carry the disease, but it is uncommon. Infected foods usually look and smell normal. The bacteria may also be found in unpasteurized milk and other foods through cross contamination. The illness usually takes effect 12 to 72 hours after a person being exposed to the bacteria, it will usually last 4 to 7 days without treatment. Sometimes...
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...illness that I chose is Salmonella. Salmonella is one of the most common types of foodborne illnesses in America. It’s been around for 100 of years and was discovered by an American Scientist by the name of Dr. Daniel Salmon. These foodborne illnesses are also known simply as “food poisoning.” Salmonella is caused by the pathogen, bacteria. The Scientific name for this particular infectious agent is “salmonella bacterium.” The bacterium comes in many different forms. In the United States there are 2 common types found: Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and Enteritidis. This type of bacteria which is classified by its shape is known as the bacilli. Under a microscope, it appears as rod-shaped and can survive in the intestinal track of humans and animals. 2. How is this infectious agent transmitted, through food or water? These living microscopic creatures are transmitted in many ways; through food consumption of contaminated eggs or poultry, eating of raw foods and unpasteurized dairy products, from feces of animals, and also by other humans. It can also be found through consumption of fruits and vegetables. Even though one of the most common ways of transmission is through food, the bacteria cannot be detected before ingestion just by looking at the food. The foods look and smell normal and there is no visibility of contamination. When the bacteria in contaminated foods are ingested the possibility of being infected are more likely. Salmonella can also be transmitted...
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...of Health and Wellness April 20, 2012 Write a 125- to 150-word response to each of the following questions: • What is the infectious agent (pathogen) that causes this infectious disease? For example, the name of the bacteria, virus, or parasite. Salmonella is a type of food poisoning caused by eating foods that are contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonellosis is caused by the Salmonella bacterium. There are a few different types of this bacterium, but the two different types most commonly found in the US are Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and Salmonella serotype Enteritidis. Young children, the elderly, and other people with compromised immune systems are the most likely candidates for having severe reactions to the salmonella bacterium. The most common way of contracting this bacterium is by ingesting foods that are contaminated, but also can be contracted by exposure to some animals ("Salmonellosis - Topic Overview", 1995-2011). The best ways of preventing salmonella bacterium contamination in your home are to only eat well cooked foods and to wash your hands after handling any uncooked foods, or handling animals (especially reptiles). • How is this infectious agent transmitted through food or water? Salmonella can be found in the stool of many kinds of animals. A person can become infected with the bacterium if he or she does not wash his or her hands after handling the animal. Certain animals, like hamsters, baby chicks, ducklings, and reptiles are more likely...
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...Food Borne illness Kerry Pettit SCI/163 Elements of health and Wellness June Monday 9,2014 Patti Cantamessa Abstract Infectious pathogen in salmonella is salmonella enterica bacterium. Salmonella are motile, non-spore forming, gram negative, rod-shaped bacteria. There are approximately 2,400 types of salmonella. (Schneider, 2013) There are many different kinds of this bacteria, salmonella serotype, typhimurium and salmonella serotype enteritis are the most common types. Salmonella is wide spread in the environment and is associated with all animals’ species including amphibians, mammals, reptiles, and birds. (WebMD, 2012) You can get salmonellosis by eating food that is contaminated with salmonella. Food can become contaminated during to processing or handling of food. Food can also become contaminated by people who are infected and do not wash their hands. Most cases of salmonella are from people who do not wash his or her hands after using the bathroom. Beef, poultry, milk and eggs are most often infected with salmonella. The immune system protects the body from harmful substances by recognizing and responding and responding to antigens. Antigens are substances on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. The immune system identifies and destroys substances that contain any antigens. Your immune system is your body’s defense force. It helps invading germs out, or kills them if they get into your body. Your immune tracks all of the substances normally found...
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...bacteria, virus, or parasite. Gram-negative bacteria. Typhoid fever is cause by salmonella. Salmonella infections are zoonotic and can be transferred between humans and animals. This infection can survive outside a living body for weeks. A distinction is made between enteritis salmonella and horny/paratyphoid salmonella where the latter, because of a special virulence factor and a capsule protein. There are also two other that involved fever, Salmonella Typhi or Paratyphi. How is this infectious agent transmitted through food or water? This disease is transmitted though raw eggs, raw meat like ground beef and poorly cooked meats, fresh vegetables ,cereal, tomatoes and contaminated water. Water can be contaminated by feces being inside the water. Must pay good attention to how you cook your meat. Eggs right now in the world is a big part of salmonella. Having a poor clean kitchen or restaurant can cause an outbreak. Polluted surfaces water and stand water like shower hoses or unused water dispenses. It can also be in the feces of some pets and reptiles such as turtles, lizard and snake, which particularly likely to carry the infection. People not washing their hand after using the bathroom and return back to cooking not realizing how that not sanitizer, also not safe. What is an example of a real life outbreak of this foodborne illness in the United States? In 2011 there was an outbreak in ground beef. There were 19 people reported as being sick from ground beef. This...
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...emergency response personnel and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the “What if?” scenario if it actually was a legitimate typhoid fever diagnosis. Typhoid Fever Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. In the United States, it is estimated that approximately 5,700 cases occur annually. Most cases (up to 75%) are acquired while traveling internationally. Typhoid fever is still common in the developing world, where it affects about 21.5 million persons each year. (CDC) You can get typhoid fever if you eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by a person who is shedding Salmonella Typhi or if sewage contaminated with Salmonella Typhi bacteria gets into the water you use for drinking or washing food. Therefore, typhoid fever is more common in areas of the world where handwashing is less frequent and water is likely to be contaminated with sewage. (CDC) In addition, a small number of persons, called carriers, recover from typhoid fever but continue to carry the bacteria. Once a person is infected, the body will typically respond with high fever (>103°), stomach pains, and loss of appetite. Unfortunately, the only way to know whether a person has been infected with Salmonella Typhi is with a stool...
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...Salmonella Kristal Martinez SCI163 September 26, 2012 Sally Fierro Salmonella Salmonella is the name for over 2,500 types of bacteria found in unwashed fruits and vegetables, uncooked or undercooked meats and eggs and contaminated water. Salmonella bacteria are capsule shaped that are known to cause diseases in humans, animals, and birds, especially poultry. Many of these bacteria can cause illness in humans, and they can pass from the feces of people or animals to through the foods processing or harvesting. Humans usually contract salmonella from contaminated food; it is most common among poultry but can taint almost any food type. Some outbreaks have included the bacteria found in raw eggs, raw meat (ground beef and other poorly cooked meats), egg products, fresh vegetables, nuts, and contaminated water. Salmonella can enter water in a bowel movement of an infected human or animal through sewage overflows, sewage systems that are not working properly, or wells after severe flooding. Infected milk is another possibility of infection, but pasteurization usually destroys the germ. A recent major outbreak in July of 2012 by Cargill meat solutions Corporation was found in over 29,000 pounds of fresh ground beef products. A total of 46 people in 9 states were reported to have contracted the virus, thankfully no deaths were reported. Although the recall is over Cargill encourages consumers who purchased these products with sell by dates of May 29 to June 16th of this...
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...Dangers of Salmonella Jennifer Castro Sci/163 10/17/2013 Mrs. Toohig Title of Paper Salmonella infection, or salmonellosis, is a bacterial disease of the intestinal tract. Salmonella is a group of bacteria that cause typhoid fever, food poisoning, gastroenteritis, enteric fever and other illnesses. People become infected mostly through contaminated water or foods, especially meat, poultry and eggs. Salmonella is a gram-negative, rod-shaped bacilli that can cause diarrheal illness in humans. Put simply, Salmonella is a bacterium shaped like a rod with a cell wall composed of peptidoglycan. There are many different kinds of these bacteria. Salmonella serotype Typhimurium and Salmonella serotype Enteritidis are the most common types in the United States. You can get salmonellosis by eating food contaminated with salmonella. Food may become contaminated by the unwashed hands of an infected food handler. A frequent cause is a food handler who does not wash his or her hands with soap after using the bathroom. Salmonella may also be found in the feces of some pets, especially those with diarrhea. You can become infected if you do not wash your hands after contact with these feces. Salmonella bacteria are also found in raw foods such as eggs, milk, chicken, turkey, and meat. If these foods are not processed or cooked well, the bacteria stay alive in the food and can infect someone who eats it. Salmonella infections typically affect the intestines...
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