German E. Coli Outbreak Sparks New Debate

More than 40 German residents and one Swedish resident have died from an especially lethal strain of E. coli since early May when the virus began spreading across the area. In all, more than 3,800 were sickened from the E. coli strain, which can lead to kidney failure and other potentially life-threatening complications, which was originally thought to originate from cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce.

Officials now blame bean sprouts for the outbreak after tracing the infection back to contaminated sprouts from an organic farm in Lower Saxony, Germany, which has since been shut down and its products recalled. Health inspectors have linked the source of the infections to patients who fell ill after eating at 26 restaurants and cafes that are known to have received produce from the farm.

The European Union’s top agriculture official announced that farmers devastated by the E. coli epidemic will receive 210 million Euros—up to 70 percent of lost income per farmer—as compensation for the loss of revenue as a result of residents being advised not to eat various types of produce. This aid extends to the pepper and zucchini (courgettes) growers, as well as producers of tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce.

The organic farming industry has come under fire as opponents point to the potential dangers of organic growing methods that use animal manure as fertilizer, which if not properly composted and managed can be contaminated with E. coli.

As such, the E. coli crisis has reignited an old debate about the benefits and risks of irradiating food, which employs the use of gamma rays or electron beams to destroy harmful organisms in produce or meat. Organic farmers are against the use of irradiation, saying that the process depletes beneficial nutrients and digestive enzymes along with the bacteria. However, the Food and Drug Administration has deemed irradiation safe for more than 50 years.

In retaliation, a statement was made by the Organic Industry stating, “All food, whether conventionally or organically produced, is susceptible to E. coli. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledge there is no evidence to indicate that organic products are more likely to be contaminated by E. coli.”

Organic or not, health officials recommend carefully washing all fresh fruit and vegetables before consuming. Additionally, if handling unwashed fruit or vegetables, wash hands carefully afterwards to prevent the possibility of spreading bacteria.