Banner
    Killer sprouts?
    By Robert H Olley | June 10th 2011 09:29 AM | 10 comments | Print | E-mail | Track Comments
    About Robert H

    Until recently, I worked in the Polymer Physics Group of the Physics Department at the University of Reading.

    I would describe myself

    ...

    View Robert H's Profile
    While shopping earlier today, I came across these:

     
    Many of you will, I expect, have heard of the recent E.Coli outbreak in Germany.  Today, we learn from BBC news

    German tests link bean sprouts to deadly E. coli
    New data released in Germany strongly suggests that locally produced bean sprouts were, as suspected, the source of the deadly E. coli outbreak.

    confirming suspicions already widely held.  But how did the bug get there?  The factory, it appears, follows stringent cleanliness procedures.

     


    The lady is wearing full protective clothing, so that even her own germs do not contaminate the sprouts.  So, as an earlier BBC article states:

    E. coli outbreak: Why bean sprouts?
    First it was Spanish cucumbers, then salad vegetables and now bean sprouts are the prime suspect in the search for a source of the E. coli outbreak.

    . . . . . . . Source's source

    It is possible that even if tests confirm that the outbreak started at the farm, this might not be the ultimate source.

    Dr Stephen Smith, a clinical microbiologist at Trinity College Dublin, said: "E. coli can stick tightly to the surface of seeds needed to make sprouts and they can lay dormant on the seeds for months, during germination the population of bugs can expand 100,000 fold.

    "However, and this is probably the key to the German outbreak, the bacteria are inside the sprout tube as well as outside. Thus washing probably had no effect. The bottom line is that it is crucial to source where the seeds came from and recall any stock."

     So, back to our original picture.  I remember, over thirty years ago, my regular seed catalogue offering alfalfa for sprouting.

    One can understand the rationale behind eating these things raw, but my local Chinese food consultant tells me that in China they never eat bean sprouts uncooked.

     

    Comments

    kwombles
    We have a backyard garden, where we grow some limited vegetables now (we used to do a lot more but the flowers overtook the veggies). We share this space with garden cats and various wildlife. I take the washing off of anything from the garden seriously. I can't imagine eating raw sprouts given what we know about its ability to carry E. coli.
    “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than a sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” --MLK, Jr.
    I'd still like to know if this 'organic farm' isn't in reality 'biodynamic'.

    It's not secret that I dislike Rudolf Steiner and his magical thinking, so I'd be well pleased to know that his witches brews caused this.

    UvaE
    Even as a nonmeat eater I have to confess that regardless of bacterial content, all leguminous sprouts put you at risk of growing a mane and a bushy tail. They taste like hay. :)
    THIS IS A LIE - Plain and simple

    Essentially, it seems the packaging of "organic" sprouts in which they found the e.coli bacteria, was in the garbage can of the sickened people, and had been there a long time.

    http://www.thelocal.de/national/20110611-35603.html

    A food can no longer be professionally test as a source for the source of bacteria after it's been contaminated by a garbage container, and certainly cannot be called "organic" anymore.
    The corporate-dominated TV media in the U.S.A. is spreading this propanganda, that "organic sprouts" are to blame.
    This is consistent with the American Agribusiness and FrankenFood Industry's enduring organized campaign of putting "Organic" and "E.Coli" in the same sentence.
    The "organic" sprout farm was inspected and found to be spotlessly clean and this e.coli was NOT found. The farm is not being charged with anything.
    Please do a little research before you accept such hogwash.

    Gerhard Adam
    Perhaps you need to read the links you post before embarking on your crusade.
    On Friday, the virulent bacteria was found in a package of sprouts, giving the first direct proof that the farm is the likely source.
    http://www.thelocal.de/national/20110611-35603.html

    A food can no longer be professionally test as a source for the source of bacteria after it's been contaminated by a garbage container, and certainly cannot be called "organic" anymore.
    Given the rare nature of this rare bacteria, I think you're stretching the boundaries of credulity to suggest that it would be found in garbage through normal contamination.  Whatever else might be cultured from a garbage can, this bacteria is not a likely candidate.
    rholley
    Gerhard,

    Here’s an interesting follow-up to the sprout crisis:

    Killer bacteria helps contain inflation


    Inflation in Germany stayed put at 2.3 percent in June, in part because of a drop in vegetable prices sparked by a killer bacteria, the national statistics office said Tuesday.

    Now the French are blaming UK seeds for their E.coli outbreak!
    Robert H. Olley Quondam Physics Department University of Reading England
    Gerhard Adam
    Sorry, your link took me back to one of the original articles.  I found it here though.
    http://www.thelocal.de/money/20110628-35943.html

    I can't imagine why someone would want to claim that kind of connection.  It is a bit contrived and ultimately demonstrates how meaningless most of the economic statistics actually are. :)
    rholley
    Thanks, I have now corrected the link.
    Here’s the UK-France item: British seed firm 'linked to French E. coli outbreak'  I buy seeds from that firm, but not for sprouting!
    Robert H. Olley Quondam Physics Department University of Reading England
    I think you are a bit confused, cowboy, so stop right there and just think for a minute
    Whatever sickened this poor soul was probably in the garbage can with the package of open sprouts. If one knows anything about biology, that could have infected anything in the garbage can. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out, but for a neo-conservative growing Frankenfood, that might be a something of a challenge.

    Gerhard Adam
    Well, it is clear that you're no rocket scientist, because it is equally obvious that for such an event to occur, then there would have to be a prevalence of E. Coli present in other parts of the garbage with higher concentrations.  After all, it would make no sense to argue that only the sprouts were contaminated while claiming that the source of the bacteria was elsewhere but showed no trace.

    I do find it interesting that you insist on making claims about me (neo-con and "growing Frankenfood") as if that enhances your argument in some manner.  BTW ... I'm neither.