An outbreak of E.coli that has infected more than 200 people has been linked to lettuce.
Although it is “too early to determine” how the lettuce could have become tainted with the bacteria, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it was confident it was the source. The FSA did not disclose whether the lettuce was imported or came from a farm in the UK.
E.coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a type of bacteria often found in the lower intestines of warm-blooded animals. While most strains of E.coli are not harmful, some can lead to severe food poisoning. This is the case with E.coli (Stec), a bacterium that can cause serious foodborne illness and produces the Shiga toxin. Stec was found in all cases reported in this latest outbreak.
How does lettuce get E.coli?
Professor Jim Monaghan, professor of plant science at Harper Adams University in Shropshire, said there were three main ways the lettuce could have become contaminated with E.coli.
According to him, E.coli “basically wants to be in the guts of warm-blooded animals,” but pathogenic strains are present in 10-15 percent of dairy herds, meaning a small percentage of manure is contaminated.
In direct contamination situations, this manure and the E.coli it contains can build up on lettuce leaves. In situations where there is indirect contamination, the bacteria can get into the soil or water and then find their way to the lettuce.
To prevent further cases, farmers must wait at least one year before planting lettuce in fields that have been fertilized with manure. They must also test the irrigation water they use to check for E.coli.
To avoid any water contamination, lettuce growers also take the risk of assessing their location and refraining from planting lettuce in areas that are likely to flood.
What products were recalled?
Numerous salads, wraps and sandwiches were recalled.
- Aldi Chicken Fajita Triple Pack
- Amazon BLT sandwich
- Asda smoked bean and cheddar wrap
- Asda Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
- Asda Chicken and Bacon Club (Sandwich)
- Asda Brie, Bacon and Chilli Chutney (Sandwich)
- Asda BLT (sandwich)
- Asda Vegan No Chicken Caesar Wrap
- Asda Tuna Crunch Sub Roll
- Asda Southern Fried Chicken Wrap
- Asda Southern Fried Chicken Triple Pack
- BBQ Chicken Wrap Boots
- BLT (sandwich) shoes
- Cheddar Cheese Ploughman’s Boots (Sandwich)
- Boots Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wrap
- Chicken salad with shoes (sandwich)
- Amazon Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Amazonian shrimp layered salad
- Triple Chicken Shoes (Sandwich)
- Boots Delicious Ham and Cheese Poughman’s (Sandwich)
- Halloumi Boots and Greek Style Salad Wrap
- Boots Ham and Egg Club (sandwich)
- Mixed triple (sandwich) shoes
- Southern Fried Chicken Wrap Boots
- Spicy Bean and Cheese Boots
- Vegan Boots Without Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
- Vegan No Duck and Hoisin Wrap Boots
- Veggie Triple (Sandwich) Boots
Amazon Poughman’s Sandwich
- Co-op Vegan Gro Onion Bhaji (Sandwich)
- Mexican-style bean and cheese co-op wrap
- Co-op ham, cheese and pickle (sandwich)
- Co-op Ham and Cheese Wrap
- Co-op Chicken and Bacon Caesar Wrap
- 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 Plate
- Amazon salad with chicken and bacon
- 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 packaging in Greek style
- Sainsbury’s Jerk Halloumi Wrap
Samworth Brothers, Manton Wood
- Tesco sandwich with chicken salad
- Tesco Chicken Salad Sub
- Gym Kitchen Peri Peri Chicken Wrap
- OneStop Tuna Crunch Sub
- OneStop Chicken Salad Sandwich
- OneStop Hoisin Duck Wrap
- OneStop sandwich with chicken, bacon and salad
- Tesco BBQ Chicken Wrap
- Tesco Hoi Sin Duck Wrap
- Tesco The Chicken Club Sandwich
- Tesco Tuna Crunch Sub
- Tesco Spicy Bean Wrap
- Tesco sandwich with chicken, bacon and salad
- Tesco Fajita Chicken Wrap
- Tesco summer edition chicken gyros in Greek style
The disease can be spread through contaminated food, water, or contact with other sick individuals or animals.
Depending on the site of infection, different symptoms of E.coli may appear. Some of the main symptoms of a bloodstream infection (bacteremia) caused by E.coli include fever, chills, and chills; other symptoms include not urinating during the day and increased confusion.
By washing your hands regularly and staying hydrated, you can reduce the risk of infection.
What to do if you suspect 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.