There have been more than 40 listeria product recalls since May 1, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

It appears as if each new day brings an additional recall for food contamination or product safety issues. It's enough to drive consumers crazy trying to keep up with it all.Since this past spring's listeria outbreak when CRF Frozen Foods voluntarily recalled several vegetable products because of possible contamination, big food companies such as ConAgra and The PictSweet Company, along with huge retailers Kroger, Costco, Trader Joe's and Harris Teeter, all issued their own listeria recalls.These were extensive recalls of frozen vegetables, rice mixes, cold salads and bread products involving 41 brands and 350 products. This does not include the 47 million pounds of meat and poultry products also discarded because of listeria concerns.Pennsylvania customers are among those affected, along with those in the other 49 states and parts of Canada. Retail grocers in Carbon, Schuylkill, Lehigh and Monroe counties pulled products this spring and summer on separate occasions after national alarms were sent out.But why so many recalls in recent years? Some food experts see this growing number to be a sign of progress in what some say is the Wild West of a consumer minefield. Researchers said that although the number of recalls is rising, the number of consumers who have become ill by eating potentially contaminated products has been small.Unlike many recalls, which are triggered by reports of consumers becoming ill by ingesting the products, most of these recent recalls were launched by the government and company inspection procedures. This, the experts say, is an encouraging sign that the inspection process is improving.On top of that, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has gone to whole-genome sequencing, a more sensitive way to track listeria and other pathogens. This allows the contamination fingerprints to become part of the government's database, so samples found in routine inspections sound alarms earlier, allowing manufacturers and retailers to pull products more quickly.Although listeria has minimal effects on most able-bodied people, it has the likelihood to cause serious consequences in pregnant women, those with weakened immune systems, children and the elderly. This is why early detection could mean the difference between life and death.The CDC estimates that each year about 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness. Of those, 3,000 die and 128,000 are hospitalized.Even scarier than listeria outbreaks are the more deadly instances of E. coli infection. It became a well-known name after the Jack in the Box outbreak in four western states in 1992-93 when 708 cases were reported, four died and 171 were hospitalized. The cause of that E. coli episode was said to be undercooked hamburger meat. This is why today in some states, including neighboring New York, restaurants will not allow customers to order their red meat "rare" for fear of unleashing another outbreak.Since then, there have been more than 200 highly publicized outbreaks of E. coli. Here are some of the well-known companies and products involved, the recalled product and year of outbreak:• BJ's Wholesale Club, ground beef, 2002• California romaine lettuce, 2008• Cargill, frozen beef patties, 2007 and again in 2010 for frozen hamburger meat• Dole, lettuce, 2005, and spinach, 2006• Golden Corral, 1999, lettuce• KFC, coleslaw, 1999, also KFC/Taco Bell, lettuce, 2012• LongHorn Steakhouse, leafy greens, 2012• Nestle - Toll House cookie dough, 2009• Olive Garden, food item undetermined, 2005Outbreaks of listeria and E. coli are scary, but we can reduce the risk of contamination by knowing how to handle and store food properly and the symptoms to look for when these foodborne pathogens are suspected. We also need to stay aware of announced recalls by manufacturers and retailers.The symptoms of listeriosis, says the CDC, are muscle aches, fever and, on occasion, diarrhea or nausea. If the infection spreads to the nervous system, headaches stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or convulsions might occur.Symptoms of E. coli infection are abdominal cramping, sudden and severe diarrhea that may change to bloody stools, gas, loss of appetite, nausea, fatigue and fever.Here are some smart tips from the CDC to keep food safe:• Cook to the right temperature - use a food thermometer rather than guessing by a food's color.• Wash hands and surfaces often• Refrigerate• Don't cross-contaminate. Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs from ready-to-eat foodsBy Bruce Frassinelli |

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