Cook sprouts: Egyptian seeds most likely source of deadly E. coli

A single shipment of fenugreek seeds from Egypt is the most likely source of a highly toxic E. coli epidemic in Germany which has killed 49 people and of a smaller outbreak in France, European investigators said on Tuesday.

The European Food Safety Authority urged the European Commission to make "all efforts" to prevent any further consumer exposure to suspect seeds and advised consumers not to eat sprouts or sprouted seeds unless they are thoroughly cooked.

Reuters reports more than 4,100 people in Europe and in North America have been infected in two outbreaks of E. coli infection — one centred in northern Germany and one focused around the French city of Bordeaux.

Almost all of those affected in the first outbreak — the deadliest on record — lived in Germany or had recently travelled there. The infection has killed 48 people in Germany and one person in Sweden so far.

"The analysis of information from the French and German outbreaks leads to the conclusion that an imported lot of fenugreek seeds which was used to grow sprouts imported from Egypt by a German importer is the most common likely link," the EFSA said in a statement.

A consignment of fenugreek seeds, from the batch believed to be the source of the EHEC infection in Germany and France, has been tracked to Sweden, according to the Swedish National Food Administration.

The seeds have been recalled but 25 kilos have already arrived in Sweden. The National Food Administration has contacted the company Econova in Norrköping, who in their turn have stopped the sales and recalled already delivered bags of seeds.

UK seeds linked to E coli outbreak

This is what not to say during an outbreak of foodborne illness.

The U.K. Times reports that Britain’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) was investigating possible links between vegetable seeds supplied by a British company and an outbreak of E coli in south-west France.

French authorities have identified Thompson & Morgan, a British mail order seed and plant company, as being the supplier of seeds from which rocket, fenugreek and mustard vegetable sprouts were grown and served at a party at a creche near Bordeaux.

Ipswich-based Thomson & Morgan told the BBC in a statement it was "highly unlikely" the seeds were responsible.

The company had sold "thousands of packets and have had no reported problems." It was more likely that "the way that they were used and handled" had caused the contamination.

What Thomson & Morgan may want to say is a detailed accounting of where the sprout seeds are grown and all the fabulous food safety steps that are taken by the producers and distributors, including test results of germinated seeds to verify the controls are working.

And the Brits just announced sprouted seeds should only be eaten if they have been cooked thoroughly until steaming hot throughout; they should not be eaten raw.

Steaming hot, piping hot, whatever that means. And does not warn against the risk of cross-contamination while handling those little natural plants in a home or food service kitchen. Get rid of them.

A table of international sprout outbreaks is available at http://bites.ksu.edu/sprouts-associated-outbreaks.
 

Salmonella in organic sesame seeds, sold in Ireland, grown in Bolivia

In a stunning example of local, organic healthy-type food, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today advised that a product recall is being undertaken on certain packets of sesame seed mixes supplied into the Irish retail market by Independent Irish Health Foods Ltd.

These seed mixes are being recalled due to the presence of Salmonella which presents a risk to consumers’ health. The issue was identified as part of a survey on ready-to-eat nuts and dried seeds. Consumers are being warned not to consume the affected products which are as follows:

Independent Irish Health Foods Ltd
Product Name: Organic Sesame Seeds, 250g, 500g packs
Organic Four Seed Mix, 250g, 500g packs
Best-before date: 11/03/2011 to 07/05/2011 inclusive
Country of Origin: Bolivia

These seeds have been distributed widely within the Republic of Ireland. Some packets clearly show the name Independent Irish Health Foods Ltd, other packs have been supplied to independent retailers (e.g. health stores) and this packaging states: "packed by Independent Irish Health Foods" on the front of the pack.

Prof Alan Reilly, chief executive, FSAI, said it is particularly concerning that this is the second time a Salmonella issue has been identified in relation to sesame seeds in less than a year. Food businesses marketing these products need to ensure that both hygiene and processing are of a standard to eliminate Salmonella from these ready-to-eat products.