What We Do
Foodborne Illness
Previous Posts
- Ethics and Food Safety Lawyers
- Sale of Listeria-Contaminated Food Results in 15 M...
- Salmonella Linked to Quizno's and Lawsuit Informat...
- List of Recalled Cargill Ground Beef Products
- Cargill Ground Beef Recall Points to Need for Fede...
- Totino's Pizza E. coli Outbreak: Symptoms and Medi...
- Jeno's and Totino's Lawsuit and E. coli Outbreak I...
- Topps Hamburgers Still Being Sold in New Jersey
- Stew Leonard's Ground Beef
Subscribe to
Posts [Atom]
Welcome to the Pritzker | Ruohonen Food Safety Blog
Cranberry Juice as E. coli Prevention

As the number of E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks continues to grow, it may be time for people to consider a natural preventative measure—cranberry juice. Over the years, a number of studies have looked at the health benefits of cranberries, particularly in the prevention of urinary tract infections. Researchers have found that cranberry juice may be able to prevent E. coli infections.
How much cranberry juice cocktail should one consume?
According to a study published in 2002 (Howell), 8 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail every morning and evening may help prevent an E. coli infection. The research conducted jointly between Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and the University of Michigan, looked at the affect of cranberry juice cocktail on E. coli adhesion in the urinary tract. Researchers took urine samples of healthy men and women, some of whom had consumed 8 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail. The urine was allowed to interact with urinary tract cells that had been exposed to E. coli. The urine of the people who had consumed the cranberry juice prevented 79% of the bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract cells. The study also found that cranberry juice cocktail’s beneficial effect may start within two hours and can last for up to 10 hours in the urine. If this is correct (more studies are needed) an 8 ounce serving in the morning and evening may be adequate provide anti-adhesion protection.
What does cranberry juice do to E. coli bacteria?
Research at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Liu) found that a group of tannins (called proanthocyanidins) found primarily in cranberries affect E. coli in three devastating ways, all of which prevent the bacteria from adhering to cells in the body, a necessary first step in all infections:
- They change the shape of the bacteria from rods to spheres.
- They alter their cell membranes.
- They make it difficult for bacteria to make contact with cells, or from latching on to them should they get close enough.
"We are beginning to get a picture of cranberry juice and, in particular, the tannins found in cranberries as, potentially potent antibacterial agents," Camesano says. "These results are surprising and intriguing, particularly given the increasing concern about the growing resistance of certain disease-causing bacteria to antibiotics."
Disclaimer: Cranberry juice cocktail is a food, not a drug, nor should it be used in place of a drug. Anyone who suspects an infection should always consult a physician. Cranberry juice cocktail should not be used as a treatment for infection, but may be an effective part of a prevention routine.
References:
1. Amy B. Howell and Betsey Foxman, Cranberry Juice and Adhesion of Antibiotic-Resistant Uropathogens, Journal of the American Medical Association, 2002, 287, 3082-3083.
2. Liu, Y., Black, M.A., Caron, L., and T.A. Camesano. Role of cranberry juice on molecular-scale surface characteristics and adhesion of Escherichia coli, Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 2006, 93, 297-305.
3. Worcester Polytechnic Institute Press Release
Labels: cranberries, cranberry juice cocktail, E. coli, E. coli prevention
Free Case Consultation
Firm News
Fred Pritzker Listed in The Best Lawyers in America
Fred Pritzker has been notified that he will again be listed in The Best Lawyers in America.
E. coli Wrongful Death Settlement
We have recently settled a number of E. coli cases involving victims of various E. coli outbreaks, including a wrongful death claim.
Foodborne Outbreaks
- Iowa E. coli: Raw apple cider may be associated with an Iowa E. coli outbreak.
- University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) E. coli: At least 8 people have been sickened, 7 of them students.
- Michigan E. coli Lettuce: A Michigan E. coli outbreak has been associated with bagged iceberg lettuce distributed by Aunt Mid's Produce Company.
- Aunt Mid's Lawsuit: People in Michigan, Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon have been sickened in an E. coli outbreak.
- University of Michigan and MSU E. coli Lawsuit: 7 students at Michigan State University and 3 students at the University of Michigan have contracted E. coli infections.
- Hendricks Farm Campylobacter outbreak associated with Hendricks Farm & Dairy in Telford, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
- Oklahoma E. coli: An Oklahoma E. coli outbreak may be linked to a Locust Grove restaurant.
- Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
- Massachusettes E. coli: A Massachusettes E. coli outbreak has been linked to Nebraska Beef products and Coleman Meat products.
- Whole Foods Market Lawsuit: The Whole Foods Market E. coli outbreak is part of the Massachusettes E. coli outbreak above.
- Virginia E. coli - Goshen Scout Reservation: Dozens of scouts were sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to beef.
- Georgia E. coli - Barbecue Pit Lawsuit
- Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
- Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
- Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
- Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
- Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
- Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
- New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
- Nebraska E. coli Outbreak Associated with Roast Beef
- Hepatitis A - La Mesa California Chipotle - Lawyer and Lawsuit: San Diego County hepatitis A outbreak
- Salmonella - Puffed Rice Recall and Puffed Wheat Recall: Malt-O-Meal cereal recall.
- Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
- Salmonella - Agropecuaria Montelibano Cantaloupe Recall: Cantaloupe from Honduras.
- Salmonella Litchfield Cantaloupe Lawsuit: Recall of Dole, Chiquita and other brands.
- Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
- Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
- E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
- E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
- E. coli - Topps Recall and Lawsuit: Hamburger patty recall.
- E. coli - Cargill/Sam's Club Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef patty recall.
- Listeria - Whittier Farms Recall and Lawsuit: Miscarriage and death linked to milk.
- Hawaii Salmonella - Tuna Recall and Lawsuit
- Salmonella - Safeway Ground Beef Recall and Lawsuit
