THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, July 2, 1995                   TAG: 9506300232
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON    PAGE: 10   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF STORY 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   37 lines

WARNING ISSUED ON E. COLI BACTERIA IN GROUND MEAT

Virginia Beach Health Director Suzanne Dandoy has issued a warning for anyone planning summer picnics.

The Centers for Disease Control and local health authorities are concerned over the increasing incidence of people made ill by eating food contaminated with E. Coli bacteria. This is the same organism that contaminated the hamburgers of a West Coast fast-food organization in 1993 and caused illness in so many children. Several children died as a result of this food-borne disease.

E. Coli is frequently found in ground meat, especially ground beef, but cannot be identified by sight, taste or smell. All ground meat should be suspected of being contaminated with E. Coli. For safe backyard cookouts, the following steps are recommended:

Store all raw meat in a refrigerator or at below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Never allow food products like meat or eggs to remain in a hot environment such as a parked car. Keep them refrigerated.

Most importantly, thoroughly cook all ground meat, especially ground beef. Thorough cooking means cooking until all parts of the ground meat are at or greater than 155 degrees Fahrenheit, or when the juices run clear. Do not eat rare ground meat patties.

Wash your hands thoroughly before you touch raw meat, and after you finish touching the raw meat. Never touch other foods or eat until after you wash your hands.

Consult with your health care provider if you become ill. by CNB