Introduction:
There are many problems facing our planet's water and food supply today. This article will address one small but serious problem, namely, bacteria and specifically E.coli in our water and food supply. We will discuss the accepted origin of the bacteria and possible solutions in whole or in part to help eliminate the problem at the source in a safe and natural way.

E.coli in our water and food supply
One of hundreds of strains of the bacterium Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7 is an emerging cause of foodborne and waterborne illness. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, this strain produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness and death. It can be passed to the earth through manure (including human, domestic, and wildlife feces). Manure can then contaminate a water source.
The sources of human E.coli in surface water include raw and treated sewage from sewage treatment plants and holding lagoons, septic system seepage and illegal connections or dumping into streams and lakes.

An estimated 73,000 cases of infection and 61 deaths occur in the United States each year. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm

What is E.coli and it's Purpose
The GI tract of most warm-blooded animals is colonized by E. coli within  hours or a few days after birth. The human bowel is usually colonized within 40 hours of birth. E. coli can adhere to the mucus overlying the large intestine. Once established, an E.coli strain may persist for months or years. Resident strains shift over a long period (weeks to months), and more rapidly after enteric infection or antimicrobial chemotherapy that perturbs the normal flora. The basis for these shifts and the ecology of Escherichia coli in the intestine of humans are poorly understood despite the vast amount of information on almost every other aspect of the organism's existence. The entire DNA base sequence of the E. coli genome has been known since 1997. © 2002 Kenneth Todar University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Bacteriology

Escherichia coli or E. coli is a type of fecal coliform bacteria that lives in all human and animal intestines. A minority of E.coli strains are capable of causing human illness, which includes E.coli 0157:H7. E. coli O157:H7 is one of hundreds of strains of the bacterium E. coli. Although most strains are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, this strain produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness and death.

How long have we had problems with E.coli 0157:H7
E. coli O157:H7 was first recognized as a cause of illness during an outbreak in 1982 traced to contaminated hamburgers. Since then, most infections are believed to have come from eating undercooked ground beef.
However, some have been waterborne.  In 1999, people became sick after drinking contaminated water in Washington County, New York and swimming in contaminated water in Clark County, Washington. In Walkerton On. Canada seven people died and numerous were seriously ill after an E.coli outbreak in their water supply. Though it may seem odd to think this way, it is accurate to consider humans as individual ecosystems. E.coli is in the gut of many species so it goes from the gut to the environment and then back to the gut again through ingestion of contaminated food or water, or through human to human contact with an infected person.

In November1998, the IBP beef processing plant in Dakota City recalled more than half a million pounds of ground beef after a sample showed signs of 0157:H7 contamination. Similar recalls involving millions of pounds of ground beef in 1997 spurred the state Legislature to pass LB1206, which appropriated $250,000 annually for five years to NU for E. coli 0157:H7 research. http://ard.unl.edu/rn/0399/ecoli.html

How does E.coli 0157:H7 get into our water and food supply
E. coli comes from human and animal wastes.  During rainfalls, snow melts, or other types of precipitation, E. coli may be washed into creeks, rivers, streams, lakes, or groundwater.  When these waters are used as sources of drinking water and the water is not treated or inadequately treated, E. coli may end up in drinking water. 

Problems with waste management do arise when the modern practice of intensive livestock production of beef and pork is considered. Intensive livestock production occurs in small areas, with large numbers of animals, thus the fecal waste production per area is highly concentrated. Another contributing factor to the high number of ecoli in the manure is the feeding and management practice of many of these operations. In several farm trials the simple addition of lactic acid, lactobacillus with plant extract enzymes added to the existing rations lowered ecoli 0157 in the manure DRAMATICALLY. Bio-ag Hog Trial #1

As human populations grow, the treatment of human fecal wastes will become a larger environmental concern. If humans are considered as individual ecosystems, as discussed above, then not only can organisms such as E. coli move into us from the environment but it can also move out of us into the larger environment. Therefore, the treatment of human sewage will be of increasing importance.
In many rural areas, Walkerton included, sewage is treated through the use of septic fields. While this system works well in low density populations, there is potential for groundwater contamination. In most urban areas, sewage is pre-processed before being released into the environment so that the biological activity within the sewage is eliminated and most toxins are removed. http://www.med.uwo.ca/ecosystemhealth/education/casestudies/walkertonenviro.htm

How does food become contaminated with E. coli?
Food can become contaminated at several points before it reaches our mouths. It can be contaminated by incorrect slaughter procedures, crop fertilization, washing with contaminated water, or unhygenic food preparation.
Slaughter Management
Ground beef is a significant source of infection because of  livestock feeding as well as meat handling procedures. E. coli O157:H7 has been detected in the intestinal samples of 1% of healthy cattle. When the cattle are slaughtered, there is some opportunity for intestinal contents to contact other tissues. Even if just a small portion is contaminated, it is easily spread throughout the tissues by the grinding process. If properly cooked, there is no danger of infection, but a lot of people enjoy their hamburgers a little pink on the inside. When incompletely cooked, the bacteria survive and infect. Because the meat of many carcasses is mixed in the production of ground beef, it only takes a few cattle to be infected to contaminate a large amount of meat (Boyce et al, 1995). http://www.med.uwo.ca/ecosystemhealth/education/casestudies/walkertonenviro.htm
Fertilization of Agriculture Crops
The most common ways for produce to become contaminated with E.coli are; contact with fecal material through fertilizer use, and contact with contaminated water. Fecal wastes from livestock production are used as fertilizers in agriculture. If produce is not sufficiently washed before human consumption, then E. coli infections can result.
How do humans contribute to E. coli outbreaks through environmental manipulation?
Throughout human history the natural environment has been altered for the benefit of humankind. Only with the increase in population in the past few centuries have these alterations begun to cause serious negative repercussions. The increasing incidence of E. coli outbreaks is one such result. Humankind has manipulated the environment in several ways which may contribute to E. coli outbreaks such as the one in Walkerton, Ontario, for example: the intensification of livestock operations, the close proximity of dense populations of livestock and humans, and the intensification of agriculture (crops). http://www.med.uwo.ca/ecosystemhealth/education/casestudies/walkertonenviro.htm

How can we stop E.coli 0157:H7 from being found in the water, food supply, manure, livestock intestines
Most of the available information and research deals with problems once the E.coli has migrated from the intestines of animals into the environment. There are methods in the feeding procedures that could lessen bacteria in the manure, on the land and in the water supply. Research is underway for vaccinations against the bacteria but there is  little research being done on the source and nature of the flora and fauna in the intestines of ruminants and monogastrics and how to work with it in a natural way.

What precautions have been taken to prevent E.coli 0157:H7 from entering our water and food supply?
Many local municipalities have created by-laws governing storage and application of livestock manure. There are a number of researchers proposing various procedures to deal with the problem of E.coli 0157:H7 in our water and food supply. Government legislation, Environmental Protection Acts, Water Resources Acts, the Farming and Food Protection Act all have proposals, procedures, legislation, etc, to address E.coli 0157 but little has been done to understand how the changing of the terrain or the environment of the gut is altered in a healthy way by using fully effective probiotic/enzyme products.
Questions one should ask!
What is the terrain of the Intestinal Tract (IT) consist of.
What is the nature and purpose of bacteria in the terrain of the Intestinal Tract (IT)?
What are the differences between friendly and unfriendly bacteria and how does nature deal with this in a healthy body?
Where does E.coli 0157 and other unfriendly bacteria originate and can friendly bacteria (probiotics) counteract them through competitive exclusion?
Why is this not known in the scientific world?

 Common sense; can simple good sense help in the prevention of these problems?
 It is becoming more and more apparent that we just can not wait until science has the time, money or interest to pursue certain problems facing our world. Sometimes complex problems require simple solutions. In our headlong rush toward progress we have spared no expense, which is to say we have attempted to further our immediate needs at any cost. Good old fashioned common sense would indicate that:
A healthy body has numerous friendly bacteria naturally resident in the Intestinal Tract (IT).
These organisms are vital to the healthy processing of food and nutrients in humans and animal's.
The vitamins, minerals, proteins and other nutrients, thus processed, determine the health of the body.
It stands to reason that we need a constant supply of friendly or probiotic bacteria in the IT to maintain a healthy body.
It stands to reason that anything that inhibits this healthy fauna and flora in the IT will eventually cause disease. eg antibiotics
It should be obvious that the gut needs to be replenished with friendly bacteria on a constant basis

Can probiotics help to eliminate E.coli 0157 in the Intestinal Tract

V63/II Reduction of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in dairy cattle by selected probiotic bacteria Tong Zhao, Michael P. Doyle, Barry G. Hannon, and Cathy A. Brown Center for Food Safety and Quality Enhancement, Department of Food Science and Technology and Department of Pathology, University of Georgia, Georgia, USA  Fifteen cannulated calves were studied to determine the efficiency of selected probiotic bacteria in reducing/eliminating carriage of E. coli O157:H7 (O157). Of 9 control calves administered O157 only, O157 was detected intermittently in rumen samples of all animals throughout 3 weeks post inoculation, and was shed at various levels in feces continuously throughout the experiment (mean 28 days). O157 was isolated from the rumen and colon of 8 of 9 and 9 of 9 calves, respectively, at the termination of the study. Six calves received orally probiotic bacteria (1010CFU) followed 2 days later with O157 (1010CFU). O157 was detected in the rumen for only 9 days post inoculation in two animals, for 16 days in one animal, for 17 days in two animals and for 29 days in one animal. O157 was detected in feces for only I I days post inoculation in one animal, for 15 days in one animal, for 17 days in one animal, for 18 days in one animal, for 19 days in one animal, and 29 days in one animal. Results indicate that selected probiotic bacteria can reduce the carriage of O157 by cattle when administered before exposure to O157.

Bio-ag has done some of it's own research in this area.
Swine....Hog Trial #1 - Efficacy Testing of EnzoLac
Results of Manure Testing for Salmonella and E.coli done by Agri Foods Labs.

                 The EnzoLac Group of Hogs was 0.0 C.F.U. (Colony Forming Units) for Salmonella and 90,000 C.F.U. for E.coli.

                 The competitor was 0.0 C.F.U. for Salmonella, but was 2,000,000 C.F.U. for E.coli.

Testing of EnzoLac - Poultry Research Study - May 23, 2002 to June 27, 2002
 

Why is the agricultural community, our governments, the public and business largely unaware of these issues?
(what do you think)

Where can we get these products of probiotics?
Bio-ag is the manufacturer of the only organically registered Probiotic in America (as far as we know) EnzoLac.
EnzoLac is a probiotic livestock feed supplement.
EnzoLac is a microbial growth stimulant manufactured by using a special patented fermentation process, which produces this lactic acid, lactobacillus fermentation probiotic. Specific live plant enzymes (Kreb Cycle) are then added on a GMO free (genetically modified organisms) wheat carrier to enhance the efficiency of the probiotic and to create a balance in the digestive system to ensure optimum health and productivity.
Inquire for pricing and information.

Conclusion
The presence of E.coli 0157:H7 in our water and food supply has its source in the IT (Intestinal Tract) of livestock and humans. Probiotics can greatly reduce the risk of unfriendly bacteria including E.coli 0157:H7 in the IT. We need much more research in this relatively unknown terrain of the animals anatomy, but with what research we have it is clear that the regular use of probiotics makes intelligent good sense. The thing to remember is that many of these probiotics even while they have high counts do not survive stomach acids. EnzoLac is one of the few in the market place that can proudly state that it is a survivor.

Sources
http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/facts/ecoli.html  E. coli  CBC News Online | May 2000
http://ard.unl.edu/rn/0399/ecoli.html  Monica Manton Norby
http://www.med.uwo.ca/ecosystemhealth/education/casestudies/walkertonenviro.htmCASE STUDY FOR THE 4TH YEAR COURSE IN ECOSYSTEM HEALTH WALKERTON E. COLI OUTBREAK
 

(The views here are not necessarily those of Bio-ag staff)
Sincerely,
Patrick Wey - Internet Marketing

Agriculture : A Vision for the Future - Enews Letter......Recent Articles
A Vision for the Future  - Enews Letter discusses the issues that confront global agricultural methods and technologies today - environmental concerns, food quality, farm/rural life. We research controversial subjects pertinent to the agricultural industry, and inform with the future of our planet in view.

Future Articles:

Overview - Viruses, bacteria and parasites know no boundaries!

Factory Farms: Factories and Family Farms

Grocery Chains and the Farmer and the Forces In-between.

Angry farmers; Why?

Update on GMO's

Is your Farm Cancerous?

Agriculture in Harmony with Nature, 'Up to Basics'

What is happening to the world's smaller farmers

Bio-Ag Vision
   We are a company dedicated to enhancing the agricultural industry through working with nature naturally.
Bio-Ag has supplied the North American Agricultural Market since 1982 with products and services of
appropriate sustainable technologies. Our research has assisted thousands of farmers in appreciating the
principles of ecological sound agriculture. Some have adapted themselves towards the fastest growing
industry in North America: organic / safe foods, however...

            95% of our customers are conventional farmers, 5% are organic farmers.

We are suppliers of natural agricultural products for feed, soil, livestock, manure additives, mold inhibitors,
health care, water and we service our customers with healthy solutions for a financially successful farm operation.
We manufacture a line of probiotics which is quickly replacing the use of antibiotics and which there is no
other comparable product on the market.
EnzoLac is a probiotic feed supplement and unique in that it combines both the probiotic (a lactic acid lactobacillus fermentation product) and live plant enzymes on a GMO free (genetically modified organisms) wheat shorts carrier. The enzymes enhance the efficiency of the probiotic and creates a balance in the digestive system to ensure optimum health and productivity.
New Solutions with Intelligent Products,
Patrick Wey
Internet Marketing
Bio-Ag Consultants & Distributors Inc.
www.bio-ag.com/
bio-ag@patrickwey.com
 

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