The UK fresh produce sector faces a sizeable public relations challenge after the country's Health Protection Agency (HPA) revealed that one person died and around 250 were taken ill between December 2010 and July 2011 – reportedly after eating vegetables contaminated with a strain of E coli 0107 bacteria known as Phage Type 8 (PT8).
Acknowledging the outbreak for the first time, the HPA said a six-month investigation had concluded in June that the infection was linked to people handling loose, raw leeks and potatoes at their homes.
In a statement, the body warned the public to wash all fruit and vegetables carefully before eating them.
According to the HPA, some of the people who fell ill purchased vegetables from supermarkets including Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Waitrose.
The HPA said: 'This range of stores from which purchases of the implicated vegetables were made indicates a potentially wide distribution of contaminated vegetables through a number of supermarkets and other shops.'
But while it appears likely the suspect vegetables were grown in the UK, this has still not been proven and, although leeks and potatoes were implicated, turnips could also present a risk.
Crucially, no retailer, farm, supplier or country has as yet been identified as the source of the outbreak.
'No cover-up'
Defending the timing of the announcement, the HPA said it wanted to allow the multi-agency Outbreak Control Team to complete its investigation, adding that sharing the findings with the public 'enables them to take the necessary steps to minimise their risk of food poisoning'.
Along with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the HPA denied accusations of a cover-up, arguing that a delay in publicising the outbreak was necessary in order to identify correctly the most likely source.
A full report is expected to be released in due course, but UK industry body the Fresh Produce Consortium slammed the country's health authorities, accusing them of failing to engage quickly with the industry and not identifying a definitive source of the outbreak.
FPC chief executive Nigel Jenney said: 'Given the heightened sensitivities and devastating impact on the industry following the unrelated E coli outbreaks in France and Germany, we are amazed at the HPA and FSA's poor liaison with the industry.
'This decision to make a public statement without sharing their full findings with the industry and the public smacks of having a complete disregard for any consequences to the industry and on consumer confidence.'
Of the 251 cases, 193 were in England, 44 in Scotland and 14 in Wales, while 69 per cent were women and girls.
The unnamed patient who died already had underlying health problems, said the HPA.
Risk management
Dr Andrew Wadge, chief scientist at the Food Standards Agency commented: 'It's sadly a myth that a little bit of dirt doesn't do you any harm; soil can sometimes carry harmful bacteria and, although food producers have good systems in place to clean vegetables, the risk can never be entirely eliminated.
'Control of infection from E coli O157 relies on an awareness of all potential sources of the bacteria and high standards of hygiene where it may be present.
'This outbreak is a timely reminder that it is essential to wash all fruits and vegetables, including salad, before you eat them, unless they are labelled ‘ready to eat’, to ensure that they are clean.
'It is also important to wash hands thoroughly as well as clean chopping boards, knives and other utensils after preparing vegetables to prevent cross contamination.'
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