| ■ Seeds Linked to E. Coli Outbreak Still Being Sold | 2011.07.05 |
| European officials said Tuesday that fenugreek seeds linked to a huge and deadly E. coli outbreak centered in Germany are still being sold and were distributed to more countries than previously believed. The European Union has now banned further imports of the seeds from Egypt until Oct. 31, and all seeds from one Egyptian exporter received between 2009 and 2011 must be destroyed, the Associated Press reported. The lot of contaminated seeds from Egypt blamed for the E. coli outbreak was imported by one distributor in Germany, but the seeds were then sold to 54 different companies in Germany and 16 companies in 11 other European countries, according to the European Food Safety Authority. Fenugreek seeds are often sold dried. If they are contaminated with E. coli, the bacteria can survive for years, the AP reported. |