Foodborne Illness
651/582-8526 800/366-8922
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE
NOTICE
DATE: February 26, 2001
TO: Sponsoring Authorities of School Nutrition Programs
FROM: Mary Begalle, Director - Food Nutrition Service
SUBJECT: Foodborne Illness
We are sending this information to you as a reminder about the risk of foodborne illness and the importance of thoroughly cooking all raw meat, whether obtained through the Food Distribution Program or from commercial sources.
In recent years, all types of licensed food establishments have seen increased outbreaks of foodborne illness. Last year, a Minnesota school had an outbreak due to E. Coli bacteria contamination.
This month, the Tri-City Herald in Washington State reported on a trial in which the Finley School District was found 100 percent liable for the costs to eleven students who became sick after eating E. coli-contaminated school lunch tacos in 1998. One of the children, who did not even eat the lunch but was exposed to others who did, has severe kidney damage and will require future kidney transplants. The jury awarded $4.75 million to the eleven students. Several February 2001 newspaper articles on this case can be read at www.tri-cityherald.com.
Due to these risks, the Food and Nutrition Service recommends that raw meat be reprocessed into fully cooked products. A list of commercial processors that may be contacted about the end products that they offer is available on the Food and Nutrition Service website at http://fns.state.mn.us. From the main menu, select "Food Dist - Reg," and then "Distributor & Processor."
If you have any questions about this recommendation, please contact us at (651) 582-8526, (800) 366-8922, or e-mail to fns@state.mn.us.
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