Latest news with #Coli
NBC News
03-07-2025
- Health
- NBC News
Dozens of beaches close before July Fourth weekend due to fecal bacteria
Just ahead of the Independence Day long weekend, beaches across the country have closed and issued advisories due to excessive levels of harmful bacteria. The culprit is fecal waste, a common summer problem in both freshwater and oceans that can cause gastrointestinal illness and skin infections. At least six states have issued closures or advisories for certain beaches and lakes that have tested positive for fecal bacteria above safe levels. In Massachusetts, almost two dozen beaches are closed due to excessive bacteria levels. Four beaches in New York are closed. Illinois has issued at least eight advisories in the past few weeks. Los Angeles County had released eight ocean water quality advisories as of Tuesday. Michigan has closed three beaches. The bacteria causing havoc for summer swimmers include and Enterococcus — nasty germs often found in the feces of people and animals. The contamination can occur because of sewage, manure or storm runoff. is more likely to be found in freshwater, whereas enterococcus can form in both marine and freshwater. Edward Dudley, director of the E. Coli Reference Center at Pennsylvania State University, said testing bodies of water used for swimming is routine and common, as are closures. Beach closures are more likely around the summer months, when ocean surface temperatures are high and bacteria can grow more easily, said Antarpreet Jutla, associate professor of environmental engineering sciences at the University of Florida. However, a variety of factors — including human activity, temperature and water movement — can affect bacterial growth, he said. Jutla also said that beach closures due to fecal bacteria are very common. In North Carolina, officials warned about cyanobacteria algae blooms in Lake Norman, urging people to keep children and pets away from water that appears bright green, blue or scummy. Different from fecal bacteria, cyanobacteria are the most common cause of algae blooms in freshwater, such as lakes or rivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research suggests that climate change may be triggering cyanobacterial algae blooms more frequently. Although the Environmental Protection Agency sets guidelines on safe levels of fecal bacteria, states can set their own water quality and monitoring standards. Some, such as Illinois, test public beaches every two weeks. 'I would say, the higher the levels, probably the higher the risk,' Dudley said. While fecal waste can lead to many harmful diseases, experts are worried by recent increasing levels of another harmful bacteria: vibrio. Vibrio is a potentially deadly bacteria that has caused similar beach closures in recent years. The flesh-eating bug thrives in warm, coastal waters. Jutla, who researches vibrio bacteria, has seen vibrio gradually migrate north across the United State. Testing for vibrio depends on each state as well as its concentration limits, he said. 'It's a rare thing right now with increasing trends in the entire country, but that's something that we are really concerned about — what is going to be present in the coastal waters,' Jutla said about vibrio.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
McDonald's chicken strips mark first permanent menu addition in 4 years
This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. McDonald's is adding chicken strips, called McCrispy Strips, to its permanent menu on May 5, the brand said Thursday in a press release. The chicken strips are McDonald's first major addition to its U.S. core menu since 2021. This is the chain's first significant menu launch since it formed its restaurant experience teams, including a chicken menu division, in March. McDonald's chicken strip offering could help insulate the Golden Arches from the competitive threat posed by chicken QSRs. Fast food as a whole has embraced chicken as a major sales driver. McDonald's new restaurant experience teams include a branch solely dedicated to chicken product development, alongside divisions targeting beef products and dessert/beverage innovation. Rival Wendy's is also looking to chicken as a menu innovation priority, and the fastest-growing major chains in terms of sales, according to Circana, are chicken chains like Wingstop and Raising Cane's. 'The demand for chicken strips has been remarkable to see across the industry, so we knew we had to deliver something so craveable that it was worth the wait,' Alyssa Buetikofer, McDonald's chief marketing and customer experience officer, said in a statement. Cesar Piña, the chain's senior vice president and chief supply chain officer, said McDonald's has worked to ensure adequate supply of the menu item. 'Bringing new products to our fans requires collaboration across suppliers, franchisees, and company staff. We hold ourselves to the highest standard and aim to bring fans nothing less than greatness,' Piña said. The Golden Arches is also adding a new permanent dipping sauce, called Creamy Chili Dip, to accompany its chicken strips. McDonald's will sell the strips in three- or four-piece orders. McDonald's needs a win in culinary novelty, as the success of its Chicken Big Mac promotion and $5 Meal Deal last year was erased by a consumer pullback after an E. Coli outbreak linked to contaminated onions on Quarter Pounders. Recommended Reading McDonald's creates 'restaurant experience' team to sharpen menu innovation Sign in to access your portfolio
