Latest news from ecoli-uk.com. Keep up to date!

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.

Page
1 of 51

Next >

Last >>

In August this year there was 3 product recalls due to STEC and 2 recalls due to Listeria.

1st September 2026

There were three product recalls due to Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in August this year as indicated on the Food Standards Agency website in food alerts and recalls that usually apply to England, Wales and Northern Irelan... ...read on

Is there yet another Outbreak of E.coli O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)? Also, Salmonella and Listeria cases appear to be high?

1st August 2026

The number of cases, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) weekly Notifiable diseases: causative agents reports for 2026 (often referred to as NOID’s Notification of infectious diseases... ...read on

An academic Critique of FSA re-structuring and how it regulates foodborne risks etc and a personal view on this article. Also, Salmonella cases rise to the highest number of confirmed cases in England

8th June 2026

“UK Food Standards Agency proposals for re-structuring how it regulates foodborne risks: an analysis and critique” by Eric Millstone Emeritus Professor of Science Policy, University of ... ...read on

This may be a better way to treat patients with Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) initially to help prevent developing Haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)?

18th March 2026

A University of Calgary research team found that only 7% of children infected at child care centres with STEC, deve... ...read on

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 and Listeria illness cases looks like increasing yet again in England in 2025.

18th January 2026

From research into the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) weekly reports for NOID’s (Notifiable diseases) causative agents (often referred to as NOID’s Notification of infectious diseases), up to week 52 ending 28... ...read on

Page
1 of 51

Next >

Last >>

E.coli O157 & Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome

Sharing

Electric Currents to Eradicate E.coli