Organic food blamed for E. coli outbreak in Germany

Organic Food Blamed for E. Coli Outbreak

Organic food is preferred by many because of health reasons, but for now people in Europe may have to stay away from vegetable sprouts from organic farms which are now linked to the E. coli outbreak.

The connection was made by German authorities after days of investigation. It has been confirmed that organic food, specifically sprouts, from the greater Uelzen region in northern Germany is the source of the E. coli outbreak. But since the contaminated produce were delivered several days prior to early reports of the outbreak, consumers are still in danger of infection from the deadly bacteria.

The fatality count now stands at 22 and more than 2,200 have fallen ill during what has turned out to be the most deadly E. coli outbreak in recent memory. More cases will likely be reported in the coming days, health officials said.

"While we have strong and clear indications that a farm in Uelzen is involved (in the E. coli outbreak), we have to wait for the official lab results," Germany's health minister Daniel Bahr said. "Until then, we cannot give an all-clear."

Authorities are telling people to avoid consumption of vegetable sprouts and also lettuces, tomatoes and cucumbers which have been linked earlier to the E. coli outbreak in Germany. The contaminated samples are organic food which many consumers prefer.

Farmers across Europe are reeling from the financial losses brought by the E. coli outbreak and EU ministers are talking about how to address the problem.

The E. coli outbreak in Germany is far from over as several restaurants have received deliveries of vegetable sprouts and other organic food.

Posted by George Daniels on Monday June 06 2011, 6:11 AM EST. Ref: AP. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0