The recent outbreak of staph infections in schools throughout the country is serving to bring to the spotlight the importance of routine, thorough cleaning and targeted disinfection of buildings where a large number of people constantly live, work or play. This includes schools, office buildings and hospitals. Researchers and health officials are going on the offensive and stressing to the public that bacteria and viruses such as salmonella, E. Coli, influenza and staph can be brought into the home and live on hard surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom counters, doorknobs and stair rails, it is important to clean and disinfect the home using the proper products as well.

Health officials are not the only ones reacting to the deadly outbreak of viral diseases. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) said Sunday he will introduce legislation next week to improve the prevention and treatment of infections, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA

The recent outbreak of staph infections in schools throughout the country is serving to bring to the spotlight the importance of routine, thorough cleaning and targeted disinfection of buildings where a large number of people constantly live, work or play. This includes schools, office buildings and hospitals. Researchers and health officials are going on the offensive and stressing to the public that bacteria and viruses such as salmonella, E. Coli, influenza and staph can be brought into the home and live on hard surfaces such as kitchen and bathroom counters, doorknobs and stair rails, it is important to clean and disinfect the home using the proper products as well.

Chris Cathcart, President of the Consumer Specialty Products Association said, "Hand washing is an important deterrent to disease transmission, but disinfecting cleaning products kill bacteria and viruses that soap and water alone will not

Two East Coast grocery chains on Wednesday recalled the Banquet and generic brand chicken and turkey pot pies made by ConAgra Foods after the product was linked to a salmonella outbreak.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Safety Inspection Service began investigating the products on Oct. 5 after officials in several states reported cases of salmonella associated with the pot pies

A California-based company is voluntarily recalling certain bags of its fresh spinach after the product tested positive for salmonella during the company's routine testing on Wednesday.

So far, no reports of illnesses related to the tainted spinach distributed by Metz Fresh LLC of King City, California are found but the company is recalling the product as precautionary measure

Pointing to weaknesses in food safety systems around the world, two United Nations agencies on Thursday urged all countries to be vigilant when dealing with traders and producers that affect the supply line.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) cited the discovery of the industrial chemical melamine in animal and fish feed and the unauthorized use of certain veterinary drugs in intensive aquaculture as examples of how a lack of vigilance can affect health and international trade