According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), rate of foodborne illness has not changed much since 2004. This is according to data collected through the CDC's program, FoodNet. FoodNet aggregates actual foodborne (bacterial) illness data from 10 states.

Says the CDC report, for the nine foodborne illnesses that are tracked through FoodNet, "Most have shown little change since 2004."

Progress has been made with reductions in E. coli-related illness, says the CDC. Salmonella, however, "is furthest from meeting the goal. One possible reason for the slow progress in fighting Salmonella is that it is spread through a wide variety of foods, and also through non-foodborne routes. Salmonella can be spread by poultry, meat, eggs, produce and processed foods, as well as by contact with animals like baby chicks, small turtles, reptiles and frogs," notes the report.

Age-related trends continue as well. Children under age 4 had the highest rate of infection. On the other end of the spectrum, "People over 50 years old had the highest rates of hospitalizations and deaths from most foodborne illnesses, emphasizing the need for those over 50 to get diagnosed and get treatment quickly after becoming ill," according to the CDC.

Learn more about Salmonella on the CDC website.

What better way to welcome spring weather than with a scrumptious fruit smoothie? The popular Sunshine Berry Smoothie from the Safe Eggs culinary team is sure to hit the spot! Strawberries, orange juice, and bananas give it plenty of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. The addition of Safest Choice™ eggs adds protein and makes it a hearty snack or special treat for your clients.

Explore more smoothie recipes, HACCP facts, taste-testing tools, and other resources at SafeEggs.com/smooth.

Just like people, bacteria can undergo stress. So what exactly do Campylobacter bacteria do in stressful situations? According to new research, they form a microfilm around themselves for protection from oxygen. (Remember that Campylobacter are anaerobic and can't thrive in oxygen.)

This barrier, called a biofilm, allows bacteria to survive and create illness. Researchers from the Institute of Food Research suggest the next step may be to develop ways to disrupt the biofilm. Targeting Campylobacter bacteria is important, as it is a leading cause of bacterial foodborne illness, affecting an estimated 2.4 million Americans annually.

Read more about the research on the Food Quality News website. Brushing up on Campylobacter? Check the CDC website.

Berries are coming into season, and they're delivering great nutrition, too. Berries are concentrated sources of antioxidants, which protect the body against cell damage from free radicals.

Did you know? Strawberries are among the most concentrated food sources of antioxidants (anthocyanins), trailing only behind blackberries and walnuts. In fact, strawberries pack twice the antioxidant levels of red grapes, five times that of apples and bananas, and about 10 times that of honeydew. Experts continue to suggest a diet rich in all fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains to support health and well-being.

Strawberries are an often-overlooked source of vitamin C as well. Eight strawberries provide even more vitamin C than an orange! Other nutrients of note include fiber, vitamin A, folic acid, selenium, and manganese. Blueberries also provide vitamin C—about 14 mg per serving, as well as fiber, manganese, and antioxidants.

Storing berries? The optimum temperature is 32-36°F under high humidity, according to The Nibble website. To preserve quality, it's best to wash them just before use. See guidelines for purchasing and storing blueberries on the Blueberry Council website. For more info, visit:

• California Strawberry Commission website
• US Highbush Blueberry Council website

A caring community... quality of life... and out-of-the-box approaches to keeping residents healthy and fulfilled. Below is a round-up of news and links with great ideas for anyone concerned about quality of life in long-term care:

• Nursing Home Residents Form a Biker Gang
• Nursing Home Satisfaction Survey Tools
• Nursing Home COMPARE website
• Nutrition and Aging: Creative Solutions
• The Eden Alternative