I strongly encourage people to be extra vigilant when preparing meats for the barbecue, picnic or family meal. Incidents of this type of food poisoning occur most often in the summer and fall. Although many strains are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, this strain produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness.
Infection occasionally leads to kidney failure.
Although industry and government inspection programs have increased their vigilance, contamination of the meat can unknowingly happen at any time during processing, so the department is advising New Brunswickers to be extra careful and make sure ground beef is thoroughly cooked. When buying groceries, make ground beef and other meats the last items you pick up and the first you put into the refrigerator. In the refrigerator, keep the meat on the bottom shelf to avoid dripping meat juices on other foods. Before and after handling raw meat, wash hands well in warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. Clean cutting surfaces, utensils and counter tops thoroughly after contact with raw meat.