Is food service in sporting stadiums, or anywhere, really doing everything to reduce risk of foodborne illness?

In the aftermath of the ESPN reports on less-than-desirable conditions at stadium and arena eateries across North American, spokesthingy John Althardt of Lucas Oil Stadium – that’s where Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts play – told WIBC,

"Everything is being done to ensure that the events and the food service at Lucas Oil Stadium are all what we expect them to be, and we’ll continue to do so."

Are they really doing everything? Are they using new food messages and new media to really establish a culture of food safety amongst all employees? Are they posting food safety infosheets in common employee areas? Are they creating a system of rewards for good food safety behavior, telling sick employees to stay home from work, and that food accidentally mishandled is thrown out?

Walk the talk, Althardt.
 

14 sick with E. coli from water at Missouri sports complex

Daughter Sorenne is comfortably sleeping through the night now, at 17-months-old, so I decided it was time to get off my lard ass and get moving again.

I like to rise early and bike about 15 miles (an hour) on my recumbent cycle (right, not exactly as shown) in the basement. I’ve got a table set up so I can use my computer, and I sweat volumes. I go through a couple of liters of water.

I’m confident in the municipal water supply because it is tested routinely. Bottled water is a complete waste. Except maybe if you work out at the Class Act Sports Complex, 2336 County Road 301, which is just outside the city of Jackson, Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reports that at least 14 people have fallen ill after drinking water at the sports complex. Four people have been hospitalized.

Officials with the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center tested water from a drinking fountain and a faucet within the facility and confirmed the presence of E. coli in both samples. The sports complex, which is served by a private well, shut off its water last Thursday at the urging of local health officials.

It would be useful if the strain of E. coli was provided in future public announcements.