UK Health Authorities Criticised – E.coli O157

The UK Health Authorities have been criticised after an eight month E.coli outbreak has only recently been acknowledged but not publicised. The report in Food Production Daily states that the outbreak, which has been attributed to the handling of raw leeks and potatoes covered in contaminated soil, has only just recently been acknowledged. The outbreak consisted of 250 cases and one death and occurred between Decemebr 2010 and July 2011 and involved E.coli O157. The HPA have argued that the outbreak was not reported as the source was unknown.