Yesterday, children were hospitalized following a food infection with a type of E.coli bacteria, after consuming ground beef. And remember: four years ago, it was discovered that nearly 2.5 tonnes of minced meat contaminated with Escherichia Coli bacteria had been sold in a hundred stores. This bacterium, which colonizes our intestines, can sometimes become pathogenic and cause an epidemic of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), also called “Hamburger disease” or “Barbecue syndrome” or “radish disease”.
The most vulnerable children
In some people who are more sensitive than others, E.coli can cause abdominal cramps or gastroenteritis, with or without fever and vomiting. In the most extreme cases, it can lead to bloody diarrhea and even severe kidney complications, especially in young children and the elderly.
How to avoid food poisoning
One of the peculiarities of the Escherichia Coli bacteria is that it cannot withstand cooking over 70 ° C. Meats, especially ground beef, must therefore be cooked to the core. For children under the age of three, it is also better to serve very cooked meat.
Also remember to adopt essential hygiene rules, such as:
– Respect the cold chain and do not thaw frozen meat
– Wash your hands with soap and water systematically as soon as you handle food
– Thoroughly wash vegetables, fruits and aromatic herbs, especially when they are eaten raw
– Clean utensils and worktop before and after cooking
– For storage, separate raw foods from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
Also to discover: Escherichia Coli bacteria, where does it come from?
