E. Coli food scare

[Coldicote]

It is reported that fresh fruit and vegetables are infected with a new E.Coli bug and causing serious health problems, including some fatalities. Mainly affecting Germany, some cases have also now occurred in the UK. Russia is reported to have banned imports of fresh fruit and veg. from Europe. I feel very concerned about this and would like suggestions on how best to avoid the problem. What evasive action are you taking and what will you eat instead of fresh fruit and vegetables?

[Sqad]

Whether pre packed or not, if you well wash the salad contents in water and dry it in a salad spinner,,,,,then that should be sufficient.

[sandyRoe]

If you wanted to be safe you could avoid salads just now. Frozen vegetables should be safe.

[emmie]

as someone else has said, wash the fruit and vegetables well, and perhaps look out for produce from the UK. Russia can feed itself presumably but the news report last evening was dire for many growers in Europe, a couple of weeks of panic, and these businesses will fold, at least that was what one of the farmers said.

[Coldicote]

Thank you Sqad and Sandy. I read a report on TV that the new bug could be accumulating in the roots of plants and spreading to the edible parts. Washing food will no doubt help but the fear is that the infection could actually be inside the food, not just on the surface. It might be helpful if readers could please k eep this discussuion up to date with any new information on the subject.

[Sqad]

Coldicot....there is no evidence that the organism is INSIDE the fruit and i would be surprised if it was.

[Coldicote]

Thank you em. I hadn't seen your posting before making mine.