An E. coli outbreak that has infected more than 200 people has been linked to lettuce.
Although it is “too early to determine” how the lettuce leaves could have become contaminated with the bacteria, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) said it is confident it is the source. The FSA has not revealed whether the lettuce is imported or comes from a farm in the UK.
E.coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the lower intestines of warm-blooded creatures. Although most E.coli strains are not harmful, some can lead to serious food poisoning. This is the situation with E.coli (Stec), a bacterium that can cause serious foodborne illness and produces the Shiga toxin. Stec has been found in every case reported in this most recent outbreak.
How does lettuce get E.coli?
Professor Jim Monaghan, professor of crop sciences at Harper Adams University in Shropshire, said there were three main ways in which lettuce leaves could have become contaminated with E.coli.
According to him, E. coli “basically wants to reside in the intestines of warm-blooded animals”, but pathogenic strains are present in 10-15 percent of dairy herds, meaning only a small percentage of manure is contaminated.
In situations where there is direct contamination, the manure and the E.coli it contains can end up on lettuce leaves. In situations where there is indirect contamination, the bacteria can end up in the soil or water and then find their way into the lettuce.
To prevent more cases, farmers must wait at least a year before planting lettuce in a field they have fertilized with manure. To check for the presence of E.coli they should also test the irrigation water they use.
To prevent water pollution, salad growers will also map their locations and refrain from planting salads in places where there is a risk of flooding.
Which products have been recalled?
Numerous salads, wraps and sandwiches have been recalled.
- Aldi Chicken Fajita Triple Wrap
- Amazon BLT sandwich
- Asda smoky bean and cheddar cheese wrap
- Asda Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
- Asda Chicken and Bacon Club (Sandwich)
- Asda Brie, bacon and chili chutney (sandwich)
- Asda BLT (sandwich)
- Asda Vegan Caesar Wrap without Chicken
- Asda tuna crunch sub roll
- Asda Southern Fried Chicken Wrap
- Asda Southern Fried Chicken Triple Wrap
- Boots BBQ Chicken Wrap
- Boots BLT (sandwich)
- Boots Cheddar Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich)
- Boots Caesar Wrap with chicken and bacon
- Boots Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
- Amazon Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Amazon shrimp layered salad
- Boots Chicken Triple (Sandwich)
- Boots Delicious Ham and Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich)
- Boots Halloumi and Greek salad wrap
- Boots Ham and Egg Club (Sandwich)
- Boots Mixed Triple (Sandwich)
- Boots Southern Fried Chicken Wrap
- Boots Spicy Bean and Cheese Wrap
- Boots Vegan Salad Without Chicken (Sandwich)
- Boots Vegan No Duck and Hoisin Wrap
- Boots Veggie Triple (Sandwich)
Amazon Ploughmans Sandwich
- Co-op Vegan Gro Onion Bhaji (sandwich)
- Mexican style co-op bean and cheese wrap
- Co-op ham, cheese and pickle (sandwich)
- Co-op Ham and Cheese Wrap
- Co-op Caesar Wrap with chicken and bacon
- 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 Platter
- Amazon Chicken and Bacon Layer Salad
- 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 Greek Style Wrap
- Sainsbury’s Jerk Halloumi Wrap
Samworth Brothers Manton Wood
- Tesco Chicken Salad Sandwich
- Tesco Chicken Salad Sub
- The Gym Kitchen Peri Peri Chicken Chilled Wrap
- OneStop Tuna Crunch Sub
- OneStop Chicken Salad Sandwich
- OneStop Hoisin Duck Wrap
- OneStop Chicken, Bacon and Lettuce Sandwich
- Tesco BBQ Chicken Wrap
- Tesco Hoi Sin duck cloth
- Tesco The Chicken Club Sandwich
- Tesco Tuna Crunch Sub
- Tesco Spicy Bean Wrap
- Tesco Chicken, Bacon and Lettuce Sandwich
- Tesco Fajita Chicken Wrap
- Tesco Summer Edition Greek Style Chicken Gyros Wrap
The disease can spread through spoiled food, water, or contact with other sick people or animals.
Depending on the location of the infection, different E. coli symptoms may occur. Some of the main signs of a bloodstream infection (bacteremia) caused by E. coli are fever, chills, and shivering; other symptoms include not urinating during the day and increased confusion.
You can reduce the risk of infection by washing your hands regularly and drinking plenty of fluids.
What to do if you suspect you have been 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 that you may have an E.coli infection. Antibiotics may be given to you to treat the infection.