Barbecue Syndrome

The season for preparing and readying our BBQ’s is coming fast upon us. We have our spatulas, chef hats, aprons and BBQ tools ready for outdoor cooking, sunshine and fun. Are you aware of your own food safety practices?

The importance of food safety is ongoing and practiced at home and in the food industry regulated by the government for the protection of the general public. It is good to be aware of your own practices and ensure your own family and friends safety in regards to food.

News stations will and have announced outbreaks and food recalls for food as we have seen and learned. Food poisoning is by far one of the major illnesses suffered and this particular illness has been on the rise since 1981. As we know, food poisoning is caused by ingestion of bacteria found in food. Another article on this subject can be found --> Here

One such bacteria that is of concern is called Verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC) O157:H7 aka ‘Barbecue syndrome’ or ‘Hamburger disease’. It has been found that most illnesses occur after eating hamburgers that were not fully cooked but can also be spread by consuming other contaminated food or water, or through contact with an infected animal or person.

The reasons for the illness to occur is believed that this bacteria is found in higher concentrations than other foods because the grinding process helps spread the bacteria throughout the meat.

Signs and symptoms affect people differently and can range anywhere from not feeling sick at all, feel like they have the flu, severe stomach cramps, vomiting, mild fever or watery diarrhea. Others may later develop hemorrahagic colitis (bloody diarrhea), severe and life threatening symptoms.

A majority of people will recover in seven to ten days while ten percent will develop worse symptoms. These people can develop a very serious disorder called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). In very severe and rare cases, death has occurred.

HUS is considered part of a rare group of disorders recognized by the degrees of kidney failure, low platelets and hemolytic anemia found through lab testing. Adults affected by HUS tend to get ill more severely and require aggressive medical therapies such as rehydration with intravenous fluids and electrolyte replacement, blood transfusion, dialysis and plasma exchange.

Most cases of E. coli-related HUS can be prevented by proper handling such as keeping it properly refrigerated prior to cooking, clean surfaces, washed hands, avoid cross - contamination with other foods and thorough cooking of hamburger products. Practicing these measures will ensure you, your family and friends will have a enjoyable and safe BBQ.

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