Frequently Asked Questions
November 2006
By Althea Zanecosky, MS, RD, LDN
Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association
Q: E. coli in food has been in the news lately. How dangerous is this bacteria and does it exist in dairy foods?
A: Escherichia coli bacteria, or E. coli, are the major bacterial component of normal healthy stool. Some species of E. coli co-exist with us agreeably, while other types cause serious disease. Most E. coli cause no trouble to humans. Difficulty comes when E. coli bacteria get somewhere they shouldn’t, such as in the urinary tract, or if people are infected by one of the dangerous strains.
E. coli is a major cause of diarrhea. Mild forms pass quickly but severe cases can be deadly, especially in children and the elderly. Those with a dangerous E. coli infection can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (symptoms are blood in the stool and urine plus kidney failure). If you have any signs of an E. coli infection, work closely with your health care provider to diagnose and treat the illness.
People can get E. coli infections from food or water that has been contaminated with stool. This was the case in the recent spinach-related food scare. Undercooked ground beef, contaminated raw produce, and raw (unpasteurized) milk are the most common food sources for E-coli bacteria.
E. coli can be easily spread from person to person by fecal-oral contact. This is a major reason why washing hands after toileting or touching animals is so important. Unwashed hands can spread the bacteria widely throughout the environment.
To prevent an E coli infection from food:
- Avoid drinking unpasteurized raw milk or apple juice.
- Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
- Cook ground beef until there is no pink color and juices run clear.
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