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E.coli O157 & Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome


Electric Currents to Eradicate E.coli

16th January 2012

According to a study published in the 'International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health' a short burst of low voltage alternating current can effectively eradicate E.coli bacteria growing on the surface of heavily contaminated beef.

Researchers at Fort Valley State University, in Georgia and Virginia Tech looked at the potential for the use of electricity as a kind of food irradiation to combat foodborne illness. They grew cultures of E.coli on beef samples, then sent low-voltage alternating currents of electricity through the beef to see if the bacteria would survive. According to the paper, the low voltage current reduced E.coli by 98.9% in 16 minutes.

The researchers were not explicitly testing the method for its effect on meat quality, so it's unclear whether electricity could provide a viable alternative to standard irradiation in the future. But with the public still largely mistrustful of irradiation as a food safety measure - and with E.coli still a serious health hazard - it seems it's at least worth considering.




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UK Health Security Agency  By email  ste... ...read on
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This Freedom of information request is in relation to the publication date for an outbreak report of E.coli O157 in 2022, where there was 259 reported cases from consuming salad products. ... ...read on
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The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) now has to decide if the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) were correct in handling a new Freedom of information request about the 2022 outbreak of E.coli O157 from lettuce and salad leaves... ...read on
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