E. coli Outbreak Linked to LettuceE. coli Outbreak Linked to Lettuce More than 200 people have become infected with E. coli, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has linked the outbreak to lettuce. The FSA has not yet determined how the lettuce became contaminated, but they are confident that the contaminated lettuce is the source. What is E. coli? E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the lower intestines of warm-blooded animals. Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but some can lead to serious food poisoning. This is the case with E. coli (Stec), a bacterium that can cause serious foodborne illness and produces the Shiga toxin. Stec has been found in every case reported in this most recent outbreak. How does lettuce get E. coli? Professor Jim Monaghan of Harper Adams University explains that lettuce leaves can become contaminated with E. coli in three ways: * Direct contamination: Manure containing E. coli can end up on lettuce leaves. * Indirect contamination: The bacteria can end up in the soil or water and then find their way to the lettuce. * Environmental contamination: Lettuce growers may plant salads in areas with a high risk of flooding, which can lead to water pollution and the spread of E. coli. Which products have been recalled? Numerous salads, wraps, and sandwiches have been recalled, including those from Aldi, Amazon, Asda, Boots, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and OneStop. What should you do if you suspect that you are infected with E. coli? * Contact your doctor or nurse immediately. * Be aware of the symptoms of an E. coli infection, which can include fever, chills, shivering, not urinating during the day, and increased confusion. * Follow your doctor’s instructions for treatment. How can you reduce the risk of infection? * Wash your hands regularly. * Drink plenty of fluids. * Avoid contact with sick people or animals. * Cook meat thoroughly. * Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them.
An E. coli outbreak that infected more than 200 people has been linked to lettuce.
Although it is “too early to determine” how the lettuce leaves may have become contaminated with the bacteria, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) says it is confident this is the source. The FSA has not revealed whether the lettuce was imported or came from a farm in Britain.
E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a type of bacteria commonly found in the lower intestines of warm-blooded creatures. Although most strains of E. coli are not harmful, some can lead to serious food poisoning. This is the case with E. coli (Stec), a bacterium that can cause serious foodborne illness and produces the Shiga toxin. Stec has been found in every case reported in this most recent outbreak.
How does lettuce get E.coli?
Professor Jim Monaghan, professor of crop sciences at Harper Adams University in Shropshire, said lettuce leaves can become contaminated with E. coli in three ways.
According to him, E.coli “actually wants to get into the intestines of warm-blooded animals,” but pathogenic strains are present in 10 to 15 percent of dairy herds, meaning a small percentage of manure is contaminated.
In situations where there is direct contamination, the manure and the E.coli contained in it can end up on lettuce leaves. In situations where there is indirect contamination, the bacteria can end up in the soil or water and then find their way to the lettuce.
To prevent more cases, farmers should wait at least a year before planting lettuce in a field they have fertilized with manure. To check for the presence of E. coli, they should also test the irrigation water they use.
To prevent water pollution, salad growers will also take the risk of mapping their locations and refraining from planting salads in places where there is a high risk of flooding.
Which products have been recalled?
Numerous salads, wraps and sandwiches have been recalled.
- Aldi Chicken Fajita Triple Wrap
- Amazon BLT Sandwich
- Asda Smoky Beans and Cheddar Cheese Wrap
- Asda Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
- Asda Chicken and Bacon Club (Sandwich)
- Asda Brie, bacon and chilli chutney (sandwich)
- Asda BLT (sandwich)
- Asda Vegan Caesar Wrap without Chicken
- Asda Tuna Crunch Sub Roll
- Asda Southern Fried Chicken Wrap
- Asda Southern Fried Chicken Triple Wrap
- Boots BBQ Chicken Wrap
- Boots BLT (Sandwich)
- Boots Cheddar Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich)
- Boots Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wrap
- Boots Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
- Amazon Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Amazon shrimp layered salad
- Boots Chicken Triple (Sandwich)
- Boots Delicious Ham and Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich)
- Boots Halloumi and Greek salad wrap
- Boots Ham and Egg Club (Sandwich)
- Boots Mixed Triple (Sandwich)
- Boots Southern Fried Chicken Wrap
- Boots Spicy Bean and Cheese Wrap
- Boots Vegan Salad Without Chicken (Sandwich)
- Boots Vegan No Duck and Hoisin Wrap
- Boots Veggie Triple (Sandwich)
Sandwich from the Amazon team man
- Co-op Vegan Gro Onion Bhaji (Sandwich)
- Co-op Mexican style bean and cheese wrap
- Co-op Ham, Cheese and Pickle (Sandwich)
- Co-op Ham and Cheese Wrap
- Co-op Caesar Wrap with chicken and bacon
- Co-op Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato (Sandwich)
- Morrisons Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
- Morrisons Chicken Salad PFS (Sandwich)
- Morrisons gluten free chicken salad (sandwich)
- Morrisons Gluten Free Sandwich Platter
- Amazon Chicken and Bacon Layer Salad
- Sainsbury’s Peri Peri Chicken Wrap
- Sainsbury’s BBQ Pulled Pork and Red Leicester (Sandwich)
- Sainsbury’s chicken, bacon and avocado focaccia (sandwich)
- Sainsbury’s Greek Style Wrap
- Sainsbury’s Jerk Halloumi Wrap
Samworth Brothers Manton Wood
- Tesco Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Tesco Chicken Salad Sub
- The Gym Kitchen Peri Peri Chicken Chilled Wrap
- OneStop Tuna Crunch Sub
- OneStop Chicken Salad Sandwich
- OneStop Hoisin Duck Wrap
- OneStop Chicken, Bacon and Lettuce Sandwich
- Tesco BBQ Chicken Wrap
- Tesco Hoi Sin duck cloth
- Tesco The Chicken Club sandwich
- Tesco Tuna Crunch Sub
- Tesco Spicy Bean Wrap
- Tesco sandwich with chicken, bacon and lettuce
- Tesco Fajita Chicken Wrap
- Tesco Summer Edition Greek Style Chicken Gyros Wrap
The disease can spread through spoiled food, water, or contact with other sick people or animals.
Depending on the location of the infection, different E.coli symptoms can occur. Some of the main symptoms of a bloodstream infection (bacteremia) caused by E.coli are fever, chills, and shivering; other symptoms include not urinating during the day and increased confusion.
You can reduce the risk of infection by washing your hands regularly and drinking plenty of fluids.
What should you do if you suspect that you are infected with E.coli?
Your doctor or nurse will take a sample from the infected area (such as a urine sample or a wound swab) if they suspect you may have an E.coli infection. You may be given antibiotics to treat the infection.
