The Foods Standards Agency (FSA) has updated its advice to consumers in the wake of the French E. coli outbreak.

Consumers are now advised to follow the on-pack instructions and sprouted seeds can be eaten raw if they are labelled ‘ready-to-eat' or 'ready-to-wash’.

The FSA had issued temporary precautionary advice to consumers while this was investigated that sprouted seeds should only be eaten if they have been cooked thoroughly until steaming hot throughout and that they should not be eaten raw. A stance which was slammed by the industry.

In a short statement, the FSA said: “Consumers are advised to follow the on-pack instructions. Sprouted seeds can be eaten raw if they are labelled ‘ready-to-eat' or 'ready-to-wash’. All other sprouted seeds, if not labelled as such, should be cooked thoroughly until steaming hot.

“Caterers are also advised that they should source their supplies of sprouted seeds from producers that have recognised food safety and quality control systems in place.

“This change of advice follows recent developments in the ongoing investigation.”

On 7 July, the European Food Safety Authority identified certain batches of fenugreek seeds from Egypt as the most likely source of the outbreaks. As a result the European Union has implemented precautionary action to protect consumers.

The implicated batches of fenugreek seeds have been withdrawn from sale (see link below) and there is a temporary ban on the import of fenugreek and certain seeds, beans and sprouts imported from Egypt until 31 October 2011.

There is no evidence that any of the implicated seeds are on sale in the UK, and, to date, no cases of E. coli O104:H4 food poisoning have been reported in the UK linked to the outbreak in France.

The FSA said it will continue to review its advice “in the light of any new information that emerges”.

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