Shoppers are being warned to thoroughly wash bags of mixed salad leaves amid fears they could contain E. coli after two people died of the bacterial infection.

Health watchdogs have said more than 150 people in the UK have been found to have been infected with the E. coli O157 bug—many of whom had eaten pre-packed salad containing rocket leaves.

Although the salad is thought to be the source, Public Health England (PHE) is still investigating the exact cause. 

We’ll tell you what’s true. You can form your own view.

From 15p €0.18 $0.18 USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras.

While they work on confirming the origin of the bug, the health body has advised some food distributors to stop adding rocket leaves to their salad. They are recommending shoppers wash pre-packaged mixed leaves thoroughly.

Of the 151 cases found, 144 were in England, six in Wales and one in Scotland. Most of the English infections were in the South-east .

Further to the two who died following the food poisoning, 62 were left in need of hospital treatment.

Shape Created with Sketch. Poisoning Risk: The public perception of food safety

Show all 8
left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch.

Dr Isobel Oliver from PHE, told the BBC: "All food sample results to date have been negative for E. coli O157 - but it's important to be aware that where food has been contaminated with E. coli O157, it is not always possible to identify the bacteria on food testing.

"As an additional precautionary measure, we have advised a small number of wholesalers to cease adding some imported rocket leaves to their mixed salad products pending further investigations."

The health body believe the strain of E. coli is likely to have been imported, perhaps from the Meditteranean.

Video credit: EFSA

E. coli can cause bloody diarrhoea as well as stomach ache. People can avoid getting the invection by washing hands thoroughly and keeping unwashed vegetables away from food that is ready to eat.

Comments

Share your thoughts and debate the big issues

Learn more
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
  • You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully
  • Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable
  • Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties
  • We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification

You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.

Create a commenting name to join the debate

Please try again, the name must be unique
Loading comments...
Loading comments...
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
  • You may not agree with our views, or other users’, but please respond to them respectfully
  • Swearing, personal abuse, racism, sexism, homophobia and other discriminatory or inciteful language is not acceptable
  • Do not impersonate other users or reveal private information about third parties
  • We reserve the right to delete inappropriate posts and ban offending users without notification

You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
Loading comments...
Loading comments...