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- Sodium
Nitrite. A Q&A about sodium nitrite - an antioxidant
used to cure meat like hot dogs, ham and bacon.
- Avian Influenza. Avian influenza or AI is a virus
that primarily affects poultry. The disease can cause varying amounts of
illness, and even death, among poultry that become infected. The virus can
infect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl, as
well as a wide variety of other birds. Migratory waterfowl have proved to be the
natural reservoir for this disease.
Fortunately, humans rarely become
infected and when they do, it is typically through direct contact with the live
bird - not the poultry consumers purchase in grocery stores.
- Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or "BSE" is an animal
disease that was first diagnosed in cattle in the United Kingdom in 1986. BSE,
which is sometimes referred to as "Mad Cow Disease," results when a protein in a
cow's brain becomes abnormally folded; these proteins are called prions. In
cattle, these misshapen prions are concentrated largely in the brain and the
spinal cord.
- Choking Prevention in Children. Young children can
be at greater risk of choking from a variety of objects, including coins, beads,
balloons and foods like grapes, peanuts, hard candy and hot dogs. Parents can
take some easy steps to ensure that nutritious meat and poultry are safe for
young children.
- Declines in Bacteria. Throughout the 1990s and into the new millennium, the industry's
ability to prevent bacteria on meat and poultry products has increased
dramatically as a result of various new in-plant technologies like steam
pasteurization and the transition of the industry to the use of the prevention-
oriented HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) system. At the same
time, the ability to detect pathogens on products has increased dramatically. In
addition, the ability to track food borne disease and tie it to a specific food
product has evolved into a practical technology.
- Foodborne Illness. Bacteria are a natural part
of our environment and are found in air, water, in food and even in our bodies.
All raw agricultural products - including meat and poultry - naturally carry
bacteria. Most bacteria are harmless. Some bacteria - like acidophilus - have
health benefits. Pathogenic bacteria however, can cause human illness.
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