U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Food and Feed Safety Research: College Station, TX
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Plains Area College Station, Texas Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center Food and Feed Safety Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Anderson, Robinitem
                                            RICKE, S.C. - UNIV. OF ARKANSAS, ARitem
                                            Callaway, Todditem
                                            Edrington, Thomasitem
                                            Harvey, Rogeritem
                                            Krueger, Nathanitem
                                            JUNG, Y.S. - USDA-ARSitem
                                            Nisbet, David
  Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
                                    Publication Type: Proceedings
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 10/18/2007
                                    Publication  Date: 12/3/2007
                                    Citation: Anderson, R.C., Ricke, S., Callaway, T.R., Edrington, T.S., Harvey, R.B., Krueger, N.A., Jung, Y., Nisbet, D.J. 2007. Pre-harvest food-safety; strategies to reduce the burden of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Salmonella in beef cattle on the farm. In: Proceedings of the 1st Simposium Internacional de Ganado Bovino Productor de Carne, May 7-9, 2008, Zacatecas, Mexico. 2008 CDROM.Interpretive Summary: Foodborne disease infections affect greater than 76,000,000 people in the United States every year.  A bacterial pathogen known as Salmonella causes about 1.3 million of these illnesses whereas a pathogen known as Escherichia coli O157 causes more than 62,000 of these infections.  Costs associated with foodborne illness caused by these bacteria exceed $2.4 billion for Salmonella and $445 million for E. coli O157.  Considerable work has been and continues to be conducted by government agencies around the world and by all involved in livestock and food production to ensure food is safe for human consumption.  Food producers recognize that combining on-farm and food processing measures to achieve multiple pathogen control interventions is the most effective way to minimize contamination of foods.  Most cattle herds in the U.S. contain at least some cattle colonized by E. coli O157:H7 although the number of animals within each herd can vary considerably. Salmonella is found in about 10% of feedlot cattle and in about 20% of dairy cattle.  Within the farm environment, animal waste, feed, drinking water, house flies, and animal-to-animal contact are considered to play major roles in the spread of these bacteria between animals.  Results from experimental studies have shown that feed additives containing chemicals known as chlorate or short chain nitrocompounds may be useful in the controlling these bacteria on the farm.  Neither of these technologies has so far been approved by the FDA, and thus they are not able to be used by farmers yet. Preparations of beneficial lactic acid bacteria, such as those found in yogurt and cheeses, have been reported to reduce E. coli O157 in cattle when fed as a feed additive, and they are currently being used by some farmers.  Vaccines likewise have been reported to reduce shedding of E. coli O157:H7 by cattle but their use is not yet common.  This review, which summarizes information pertaining to the natural cycle of pathogenic E. coli, Salmonella infection in cattle, and current and pending methods for controlling these bacteria, will help scientists and producers make judgements on how to best continue development and implementation of strategies to produce safe beef for the American consumer.
                                Technical Abstract: Foodborne disease infections effect greater than 76,000,000 people in the United States annually.  Salmonella cause an estimated 1.3 million human illnesses whereas Escherichia coli O157 and non-O157 shiga toxin-producing E. coli are estimated to cause more than 62,000 and 31,000 cases of foodborne illness annually.  Costs associated with foodborne illness caused by these bacteria exceed $2.4 billion for Salmonella and $445,000,000 for E. coli O157.  Considerable effort has been and continues to be expended by government agencies around the world and by all involved in livestock and food production to ensure food is safe for human consumption.  Food producers recognize that applying pre-harvest interventions with post harvest technologies for a “multi-hurdle” approach is the most effective way to minimize contamination of foods.  The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service identified the “Development of improved on-farm, feedlot, and antemortem interventions for reducing the incidence and levels of pathogens in raw products” as one of their research priorities.  Most, if not all, cattle herds in the U.S. contain at least some cattle colonized by E. coli O157:H7 although prevalence rates of animals can vary from low to greater than 30%.  Salmonella prevalence in fed cattle is typically less than 10% but about 38% of feedlots contain at least one positive animal; prevalence in cull dairy cows approached 20%.  Within the farm environment, manure, feed, drinking water, house flies, and animal-to-animal contact are considered to play a role in the dissemination of these organisms.  Results from experimental studies have shown that feed additives containing chlorate or short chain nitrocompounds may have application in the pre-harvest control of these enteric pathogens.  Because neither of these technologies have yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, they are not at present commercially available for use by beef producers.  Probiotic preparations of lactic acid bacteria have been shown to reduce E. coli O157 in cattle and their use is presently employed by some feedlots.  Vaccines likewise have been reported to reduce E. coli O157:H7.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov