Author: Kraken Sense
-
Pathogenic Serotypes of E. coli Causes Food-Recalls
Who would have thought that the food manufacturing business could be quite a delicate undertaking? When a food manufacturer has some mishaps leading to product contamination; the consumer’s health is often negatively affected. In essence, the food manufacturing business entails heavy responsibilities and one of their responsibilities includes protecting the public from pathogens such as
-
Say Goodbye to Lab Work: The Future of Pathogen Testing
Tired of waiting for lab results? Discover how rapid pathogen detection technologies are revolutionizing the industry, providing faster, more efficient, and more accurate results than traditional lab-based methods. Pathogen testing has always been an essential aspect of ensuring food and water safety and preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Traditional laboratory methods, such as microbial
-
Preventing Avian Flu Outbreaks as Egg Prices Skyrocket
The current avian flu outbreak has affected 58 million poultry in the United States, making it the worst attack in recent history. With over 40 million chickens culled so far, the virus is causing widespread concern among poultry farmers and consumers as egg prices have skyrocketed across the country. The outbreak first started in January
-
It’s Everywhere: Sources of E. coli Infection
Escherichia coli, or E. coli, is a bacterium commonly found in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, a handful can cause disease in humans, the most common being E. coli O157. Infection with one of these virulent strains can cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever, even leading
-
The Importance of Water Quality in Food Safety
There is a close relationship between water quality and food safety, for food production often involves the use of water. In the food industry, water is a critical resource. Water isn’t solely used as an ingredient, it is utilized in various stages of food production and or preparation. In essence, food preparation and processing require
-
Coliform – Why Are They Important For Water Quality Testing?
Testing drinking water for every possible pathogen that could be transmitted through its consumption is impractical. But how do we test the microbial quality of water then? Coliform bacteria holds the answer. What is Coliform? Coliform is a collective term for bacteria that are present in plant material, water, soil, and, most importantly, digestive tracts
-
How Bacteria Makes You Sick: Health Implications of E. coli Infection
Although E. coli is often implicated in the large-scale food poisoning outbreaks you see on the news, only a few strains of the bacteria actually cause disease. Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli, is naturally found in human and animal intestines to aid digestion and protect from harmful microbes. However, certain strains of E. coli, such as O157:H7, are
-
The Impact of Climate Change on Water Quality and Health
Climate change has been one of the most significant environmental issues of the 21st century. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states that the average global temperature has increased by approximately 1.1°C since the pre-industrial period. This unprecedented increase has caused significant changes in weather patterns, resulting in more frequent and intense
-
Drinking Water Quality – What To Look Out For
Water is an essential requirement for life. The average adult needs around 3 litres of water every day. However, not all water is safe for drinking. Diseases that are acquired through the intake of unsafe drinking water has made a major impact on public health. Fortunately, nowadays interventions are in place to assure access to
-
The Close Relationship Between Algae and Water Quality
Most people are familiar with algae as it comes in the form of seaweeds, pond scum, or algal blooms in lakes. Thus, it can cause some confusion as to their exact description. Algae is more of an umbrella term that includes a wide range of organisms that are capable of producing oxygen through photosynthesis. These
Pathogen Sense 