E.coli and the cucumber scare.

[Vimto]

I've read various reports of cucumbers and other fruit being blamed for carrying and spreading E.coli among various European countries especially in Germany. Spanish imported vegetables are being pointed to as a potential source of the outbreak. However, in no report that I've read has it made it clear whether the contamination is within the soft inner part of the vegetables or is only confined to the outer surface. If the latter, then a thorough washing should be enough while if the former then the whole vegetable would have to be destroyed. I would appreciate serious comments on this subject with knowledgable advice if possible please.

[rockyracoon]

From what I've gathered, the cucumbers were grown using contaminated (with faeces) water. In one of the dailies, can't remember which one. a health professional said to thoroughly wash the vegetable and it should be fine. My thinking would be that using just water to wash it won't be good enough.

[Safiya]

Sorry I can't help with an answer vimto, but I do feel the same as rockyracoon. When I first heard about this it just mentioned cucumbers. We must use half a dozen a week sometimes. I'm steering clear until more information is given.

[jackthehat]

These are Spanish-grown cucumbers and none have been imported into UK.

[rockyracoon]

Just checked my two cucs in the fridge, both UK so should be fine.

[Vimto]

How do you know jackthehat?
Spain aren't even admitting responsibility so can we take their word for it that none have been sent to Britain? Rocky, I don't want to alarm you but you can't see E.coli without laboratory equipment!
I think I will eschew all Spanish vegetables and ALL cucumbers for the time being like almost all other European countries did to British beef during the foot and mouth epidemic and also in the BSE scare.
Fertilizing with human excrement is rather fraught with danger I would have thought.

[carolegif]

On the news at lunchtime they showed all the Spanish growers dumping their produce because no-one will buy them. The sooner they sort it out the better. They are saying that the Germans could have contaminated them after they left Spain.

[rockyracoon]

Vimto, I would doubt very much you would be able to see it, didn't suggest that you could, just that I don't think washing with water would be good enough if it was contaminated. With regards to the suggestion that none have entered the UK, I doubt they have as there would have been cases of E.coli over here too, especially with the rate that the British go through cucumbers, hope I'm not proved wrong. Whilst they are identified as grown in the UK I think I'll carry on eating them and maybe avoid buying from markets.