E. Coli Found in Imported Avocados Not Dangerous, Thailand Says

Thailand said on Friday that E. coli bacteria detected in avocados imported from Europe was not the same as a killer strain behind an outbreak centred on Germany. The discovered

E. coli bacteria detected in avocados imported from Europe was not the same as a killer strain behind an outbreak centred on Germany, reports Thailand on Friday.

"The discovered bacteria can be found in the general environment and does not pose a health hazard, so the authorities allowed imports of avocados," Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said in a statement.

Germany Hunts Source of E.Coli Outbreak
Authorities in Germany said that it is trying to locate the exact source of deadly E.coli bacteria outbreak blamed for 10 deaths.

Thailand said Thursday that it had found E. coli bacteria in avocados imported from an unspecified European country and was checking whether it was a lethal strain.

In Europe a highly virulent strain of E. coli has left at least 30 people dead, mostly in Germany.

The head of Germany's national public health institute said Friday that contaminated sprouts had been identified as the source of the outbreak, which has left more than 2,800 people ill in at least 14 countries.

E.Coli Outbreak Continues to Spread
More than 270 people in Germany have fallen seriously ill due to potentially deadly bacteria detected in imported Spanish cucumbers, but Madrid said Friday there was no proof it is to blame.

Symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhoea, fever and vomiting.

Source-AFP

Cooking in Copper Utensils Might Help Ward Off E.coli
A new study suggests that using copper utensils while cooking prevents the cross contamination of food items with E.coli bacteria.

Salmonella Infections Increase in US
In recent years US cases of food-borne illness caused by salmonella have risen 10 percent.