The problem with the current outbreak may be the structural flaw within food handling processes of the restaurant chain’s business model.
Good News – Fortunately Shiga-toxin producing E. coli is possible to track through DNA source tracing. Meaning modern food safety officials actually have the capability to trace the specific DNA strain of E.Coli to the source; *qualifier: so long as the origin is field-based (farm) and not fork-based (poor food handling).
Bad News – Unfortunately the structural flaws inherent in behind-line buffet style food presentation are rife with cross-contamination risk. It would not be surprising to find this outbreak origin is not necessarily from product origination, but rather systemic poor personal hygiene and food safety handling in the retail stores – or a combination therein. (more…)








