UK school bans handshake tradition amid E. coli fears

The traditional handshaking ceremony that takes place after assemblies at Bedales School in Steep, near Petersfield, has been temporarily scrapped amid fears it could spread infection.

Headteacher Keith Budge said he made the decision after being told on Sunday that a 15-year-old student had been diagnosed with E. coli O157.

"We have already checked hygiene arrangements across the school and will be advising all staff and students to follow good hygiene practice. The school’s traditional handshaking ceremony after assembly has been suspended until we get the all-clear."

This entry was posted in E. coli, Food Safety Policy and tagged by Douglas Powell. Bookmark the permalink.

About Douglas Powell

A former professor of food safety and the publisher of barfblog.com, Powell is passionate about food, has five daughters, and is an OK goaltender in pickup hockey. Download Doug’s CV here. Dr. Douglas Powell editor, barfblog.com retired professor, food safety 3/289 Annerley Rd Annerley, Queensland 4103 dpowell29@gmail.com 61478222221 I am based in Brisbane, Australia, 15 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time