Steaks have not been recognized as an important vehicle of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection. During 11 to 27 June 2003, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) identified four O157 infection cases with the same pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) subtype. All four case patients consumed brand A vacuum packed frozen steaks sold by door-to-door vendors. The steaks were blade tenderized and injected with marinade (i.e., nonintact). Information from single case patients in Michigan and Kansas identified through PulseNet confirmed the outbreak. The MDH issued a press release on 27 June to warn consumers, prompting a nationwide recall of 739,000 lb (335,506 kg) of frozen beef products. The outbreak resulted in six culture-confirmed cases (including one with hemolytic uremic syndrome) and two probable cases in Minnesota and single confirmed cases in four other states. The outbreak PFGE subtype of O157 was isolated from unopened brand A bacon-wrapped fillets from five affected Minnesota households. A fillet from one affected household was partially cooked in the laboratory, and the same O157 subtype was isolated from the uncooked interior. The tenderizing and injection processes likely transferred O157 from the surface to the interior of the steaks. These processing methods create new challenges for prevention of O157 infection. Food regulatory officials should reevaluate safety issues presented by nonintact steak products, such as microbiologic hazards of processing methods, possible labeling to distinguish intact from nonintact steaks, and education of the public and commercial food establishments on the increased risk associated with undercooked nonintact steaks. Information on single cases of O157 infection in individual states identified through PulseNet can be critical in solving multistate outbreaks in a timely manner.
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Research Article|
June 01 2005
Outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Associated with Nonintact Blade-Tenderized Frozen Steaks Sold by Door-to-Door Vendors
ELLEN SWANSON LAINE;
ELLEN SWANSON LAINE
*
1Acute Disease Investigation and Control Section, Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 9441, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
* Author for correspondence. Tel: 612-676-5414; Fax: 612-676-5730; E-mail: ellen.swanson@state.mn.us.
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JONI M. SCHEFTEL;
JONI M. SCHEFTEL
1Acute Disease Investigation and Control Section, Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 9441, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
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DAVID J. BOXRUD;
DAVID J. BOXRUD
2Public Health Laboratory Division, Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 9441, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
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KEVIN J. VOUGHT;
KEVIN J. VOUGHT
3Laboratory Services Division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 90 West Plato Boulevard, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55107, USA
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RICHARD N. DANILA;
RICHARD N. DANILA
1Acute Disease Investigation and Control Section, Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 9441, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
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KEVIN M. ELFERING;
KEVIN M. ELFERING
4Dairy, Food and Meat Inspection Division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, 90 West Plato Boulevard, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55107, USA
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KIRK E. SMITH
KIRK E. SMITH
1Acute Disease Investigation and Control Section, Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 9441, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
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J Food Prot (2005) 68 (6): 1198–1202.
Article history
Received:
November 30 2004
Accepted:
January 16 2005
Citation
ELLEN SWANSON LAINE, JONI M. SCHEFTEL, DAVID J. BOXRUD, KEVIN J. VOUGHT, RICHARD N. DANILA, KEVIN M. ELFERING, KIRK E. SMITH; Outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Associated with Nonintact Blade-Tenderized Frozen Steaks Sold by Door-to-Door Vendors. J Food Prot 1 June 2005; 68 (6): 1198–1202. doi: https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-68.6.1198
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