Advice following E.coli outbreak in Germany

Shropshire Council’s food safety team is offering advice on precautions that can be taken to avoid food poisoning, as international health agencies continue to investigate the E.coli outbreak in Germany. 

The cases in Germany have been linked to bean sprouts. 

Bean sprouts and other sprouting beans are often used raw in salads and have been associated with other outbreaks, causing food poisoning with symptoms such as diarrhoea. In this latest outbreak, the particular E.coli strain results in more serious symptoms, and the cause is being determined by health organisations. 

Shropshire Council food safety officer, Jo Messer, explained why bean sprouts can cause food poisoning:

“If bean sprouts become contaminated during the farming process either as a result of contaminated irrigation water or contaminated seeds, then the bacteria stays in the plant as it grows.”

At the end of 2010, the food safety team dealt with an outbreak of Salmonella associated with bean sprouts, and is adding to the advice provided at the time. 

Jo said:

“If bean sprouts are cooked then the bacteria is killed, but not if they are eaten raw.  It is advised to rinse and cook bean sprouts, and not to eat them after their use by date.”

Last week (6 June 2011 onwards) was Food Safety Week, and the team is also reminding people about the importance of general basic food hygiene practices when preparing food in the home. 

They recommend: 

• Washing fruit and vegetables before eating them, to ensure they are clean and to help remove any bacteria from the outside. 
• Peeling and cooking fruit and vegetables can also remove bacteria.  However, in the case of the bean sprouts, it should be noted that only cooking will kill any bacteria present, if it is in the sprout itself. 
• Always wash hands before preparing food, after handling raw meat and going to the toilet. 

Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for environmental health, said:

“We want to reassure people that the Food Standards Agency reports that there is no evidence that any of the potentially affected products have entered the UK. 

“However it is always worth being aware of good food hygiene to reduce the chances of becoming ill.”

To contact the food safety team call 0345 678 9000 or visit shropshire.gov.uk/environmentalhealth.nsf

Alternatively go to the Health Protection Agency website, www.hpa.org.uk , for further information on E.coli and the outbreak in Germany.