Did You Know?

Drug to Fight E. Coli Arrives
In an attempt to limit loss of life during the recent Sizzler E. coli outbreak in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the FDA issued emergency approval of the drug Synsorb® Pk for cases resulting from the outbreak. Synsorb Pk is intended to reduce the severity of symptoms from E. coli and had already been approved for clinical trials in children at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa. There it will be given to children who test positive for E. coli 0157:H7. The drug appears to have greater effectiveness if taken early in the course of the infection. For more information on this drug see Trendsetters in the July/August 2000 issue of FTS Forum.
Photo: Electron Microscope scan of E. coli resting on a Synsorb™ molecule. Courtesy: Richard Sherburne

A Balanced Way to Detect Bacteria
Identifying large numbers of bacteria in food is easy, but spotting just a handful has always been a challenge. Harold G. Craighead and his colleagues at Cornell University, New York, and the Institute of Microelectronics in Singapore have developed a new mechanical balance that weighs bacteria and enables scientists to detect if a small amount is present. The device uses a silicon nitride cantilever that is similar to a miniature springboard. When the lever shakes, it deflects a laser beam aimed at the free end of the arm. By measuring these deflections with a light detector, the resonant oscillation frequency of the cantilever can be determined. Since the cantilever is so small, just a few bacteria cells somewhere near the tip increases its mass and generates a measurable change in frequency, alerting scientists to the presence of bacteria.

“Functional Food” Halt
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI) urged the FDA to immediately halt the sale of dozens of “functional foods” that contain ingredients considered to be unsafe. It also wants manufacturers to stop making false and misleading claims about them. These products are claiming to enlighten your senses, enhance your mind, or provide extra energy; but the claims are not supported by scientific evidence. The CPSI wants state attorneys general to make functional foods a top consumer-protection initiative

Global Salmonella Surveillance
Initiated in January 2000, the Global Salm-Surv (GSS) is a global network of over 150 individuals from 108 laboratories and 66 countries involved in the surveillance of Salmonella from humans, animals, and food. The GSS consists of an international online database that contains contact information, data sharing and communication between laboratories and individuals; participation in internal and external quality assurance systems; training courses on surveillance of salmonellosis and antimicrobial resistance; and selected reference testing services. Individuals and labs interested in participating should fill out a form available at www.who.int/emc/diseases/zoo/SALM-SURV/index.html.

Irradiating Eggs in the Shell
Eggs, specifically fresh shell eggs, are the most recent food products to be approved for irradiation treatment by the FDA. Irradiation reduces the number of microorganisms, such as Salmonella, in and on fresh shell eggs. The FDA found that irradiating eggs would not cause harmful side effects, although the eggs would contain less vitamin A. A positive FDA ruling regarding the irradiation of seafood and ready-to-eat-meals is anticipated.