When a strain of E. coli O104 was found in Spanish cucumbers in May 2011 during the Germany-based sprout outbreak that killed 53 – and subsequently proven to not be the outbreak strain – producers and politicians focused on how public health got it wrong, and demands for compensation.

I look forward to Thursdays because a new issue of Eurosurveillance appears and they always have outbreak summaries of interest.

Eight cases of diarrhoea, including two cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), were identified among 22 French tourists who travelled to Turkey in September 2011. A strain of Escherichia coli O104:H4 stx2-positive,eae-negative, hlyA-negative, aggR-positive, ESBL-negative was isolated from one HUS case.

Hot water immersion treatment for cantaloupes to enhance food safety has proven effective in the laboratory and could make the leap to commercial use, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Las Vegas, NV -- Problems with food temperatures and storage lead to the closure of a valley restaurant. Contact 13's Tricia Kean looks at the violations in our Dirty Dining report.

Today the USDA announced that 18th Street Deli Inc., a Hamtramck, Mich., establishment, is recalling approximately 118 pounds of julienne salad products with turkey, ham and hard-boiled eggs. The salads contain eggs that are the subject of an FDA recall due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

The salad products were produced on Jan. 20, 2012 and then distributed to retail stores in Michigan and vending companies in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The products subject to the recall are 9.25-ounce packages of "18th Street Deli Julienne Salad," "18th Street Deli Julienne Salad Lite," and "Balanced Choice Julienne Salad Lite" that bear the establishment number "P-22061" inside the USDA mark of inspection and expiration dates of "01/27/12" and "01/30/12."

The problem was discovered when 18th Street Deli was notified by one of its suppliers that hard-cooked eggs (a product inspected by the FDA) had tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes and are being recalled by Michael Foods Egg Products Co. The julienne salads contain the recalled eggs and are the subject of this FSIS recall. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

Bill Marler recently brought to my attention an article published roughly six years ago in the Journal of Food Science.   The article details a study that shows that washing cantaloupes with hot water was an effective method in reducing the likelihood of bacterial contamination.

The study demonstrated that surface pasteurization can greatly reduce levels of Salmonella from the surfaces of cantaloupes.  Beyond that, it appears that the "edible portions of cantaloupes remain cool" during such a treatment. 

It does not appear that the heat treatment, and other best agricultural practices, have been consistently followed in cantaloupe production.  In the wake of last years deadly listeria outbreak from cantaloupe, the growing practices invovled came under fire from Congress and the FDA.

But the 2011 listeria outbreak was not the first outbreak linked to cantaloupe. 

Courtesy of outbreak database, here are reported cantaloupe outbreaks:

• Del Monte Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak (2011)
• California Restaurant Cantaloupe Outbreak, Norovirus (2008)
• Colorado Private Home Cantaloupe and Watermelon Salmonella outbreak (2008)
• Agropecuraria Montelibano Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak (2008)
• Colorado Cantaloupe Salmonella at Private Home (2007)
• Atlantic City Hotel Restaurant Fruit Salad and Green Salad 2007
• Grocery Store, Health Care Facility, and Nursing Home Fruit Salad 2006
• Colorado Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak (2005)
• Utah Private Home Cantaloupe, Barbequed Chicken, Corned Beef 2005
• Florida Unknown Location Cantaloupe, Pineapple, Bananas 2003
• Multistate Day Care Center or Private Home Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melon 2003
• Washington State Church Cantaloupe, Grapes, Watermelon 2002
• Susie Cantaloupe Distributed by I. Kunik Company 2002
• Oregon Nursing Home or Restaurant Cantaloupe 2001
• Viva Brand/Shipley Sales Cantaloupe (2001)
• Cantaloupes 2000
• Ontario, Canada Cantaloupe 1998
• Imported Mexican Cantaloupe 1997
• Cantaloupe 1991
• Multistate Cantaloupe 1990
• Multistate Cut Cantaloupe 1989
• Wisconsin Unknown Location Cantaloupe 1985

Maybe its time to read up in those scientific journals?

Food Safety News reports, a Massachusetts resident who first tested positive for brucellosis has now been confirmed to not have the infection, according to an email from the assistant commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR).

"While initial test results did show up positive, further, more specific and accurate testing by the CDC confirmed that the person does not have brucellosis," Nathan L'Etoile wrote in the message forwarded by the NOFA/Massachusetts Raw Milk Network.

As a result, the MDAR "will be rescinding the Cease and Desist from the sale of Raw Milk" order that had been issued in the state last week, the email stated.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), in an email, also confirmed that "the patient did test negative for brucellosis. The milk and the cows also tested negative for any brucellosis bacteria. Neither DPH or DAR have any health concerns at this time."

On Jan. 20, the MDAR and the DPH issued a consumer alert for raw milk from Twin Rivers Farm in Ashley Falls, MA "due to the possibility of raw milk being contaminated with Brucella."

That earlier news release stated, in part: "This investigation is being conducted in response to a suspected human case, following an individual's contact with this farm. The presence of Brucella in raw milk represents a significant danger to public health."

In his email Thursday, L'Etoile wrote, "All in all this has been a trying experience, but the cooperation and willingness to take the steps needed by MDAR, DPH, USDA and most importantly the farmer has helped immensely."