GERMANY: Minister for consumer affairs Ilse Aigner says that initial tests have shown no clear evidence that the deadly E.coli bacteria originated in bean sprouts

Record ID: 1525896

  • Title: GERMANY: Minister for consumer affairs Ilse Aigner says that initial tests have shown no clear evidence that the deadly E.coli bacteria originated in bean sprouts
  • Date: 7th June 2011
  • Summary: SLATE INFORMATION
  • Embargoed: 22nd June 2011 02:55
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany, Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Health
  • Reuters ID: LVABUTY49W02M5IMUM5THFYTCT6R
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: German scientists were working on Monday (June 6) to confirm an organic vegetable farm as a source of an outbreak of E.coli bacteria that has killed 22 people and caused a food scare across Europe.
    Even though the first lab tests on bean sprouts from a northern German farm suspected as a source of the killer bug came back negative, officials said they were not surprised because any contaminated produce could have been long since distributed.
    Agriculture Minister Ilse Aigner said this was an "important lead that we're vigorously pursuing."
    "During the first tests, no germs were found, nevertheless I think it is right to continue to observe the consumer guidelines on what to eat," Aigner told journalists in Bienbuettel. "Just like the ministry for consumer protection in Lower Saxony, the Federal ministry for Consumer Protection also recommends to avoid the consumption of bean sprouts until all of the tests have been carried out and as long as suspicion still remains."
    Aigner also urged consumers to stay away from cucumbers, tomatoes and salad even though there has not yet been any conclusive evidence found.
    "The repsonsible state and federal authorities have the challenge of putting together the thousands of jigsaw pieces in front of them in order to create a complete picture which answers the urgent question about the epidemic," the minister said, adding: "I am clearly saying that the fight against E.coli is the government's top priority."
    In Bienenbuettel, the manager of the farm said he could not understand how his small organic food operation could be the source of an infection that is usually transmitted through faeces, or food or water contaminated with faecal bacteria.
    The Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC) strain found in this outbreak is known to be able to lurk in cows' intestines.
    The relief in Germany that investigators had finally found a possible source of the killer bacteria -- ironically in bean sprouts, eaten by many as "health food" -- was tempered by the cautious tone of the ministry statement and by reports of mounting losses for vegetable farmers and retailers across Europe caused by three weeks of panic.
    Even if German officials still had not found a "smoking gun," scientists believe they were now on the right trail. A number of the victims were linked to restaurants that had been supplied by the organic farm in Bienenbuettel.
    Scientists say the contamination may have been on or in the bean seeds themselves, in the water used to grow them, or have come from a worker handling them.
    The Lower Saxony state agriculture minister, Gert Lindemann, confirmed that the tests are still going on.
    "Of the 18 swap samples which have been taken, eight still are questionable and must be further clarified," Lindemann said. "The two water samples which were taken are still being clarified and out of the seed samples, four still need to be clarified. This is the current status of the investigations."
    The rare STEC strain of E.coli can stick to intestinal walls where it pumps out toxins, sometimes causing severe bloody diarrhea and kidney problems. Some patients have needed intensive care, including dialysis.
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