When it comes to ensuring the safety of our food supply, multiple approaches are better than single approaches.  Of course one critical approach is testing for the presence of disease-causing organisms, such as E. coli.  Another is procedures for handling of carcasses in the slaughter and preparation chain.  That these can break down, or not be implemented appropriately, should not be surprising.

The fallibility of testing was brought home again in this recent piece in the NY Times.  I was also struck by the long convoluted history of what may end up on our tables as ground beef, but that is mostly an aside.

Another strategy being pursued by scientists in our college through their role in the Washington Vaccine Alliance is to develop a vaccine to reduce shedding of E. coli O157 from infected cattle, especially those known as super shedders.  An effective vaccine could reduce the shedding, and thus the risk of contamination of the food supply would also be reduced.  This does not mean that other control strategies are unimportant.  Rather, I think it means that there would be less risk of disease should there be breaks in other control strategies.

  **********

Given my fascination with maps, I also point out this figure that maps the world-wide incidence of E. coli in 2005.  (I think those of you without subscription access to Nature can see this figure even though you can't see the whole review article.)