Food Poisoning and Toxigenic E.Coli 0157
Strains of E. coli that produce a potent toxin are now recognized
as important food-borne pathogens of man. Symptoms can vary from mild diarrhoea to colitis, kidney complications and even death. These verocytoxin - producing E. coli 0157 (VTEC) have been associated with outbreaks and sporadic cases in the UK, particularly in Scotland, North America and France. Numerous community based and point-source outbreaks have occurred associated with a variety of foodstuffs. Contaminated water implicated in some outbreaks and one has been linked to the use of a paddling pool. Food groups which have been specifically implicated in outbreaks include:
 | BEEFBURGERS
| SAUSAGES
| FRYING STEAK
| MILK
| FROMAGE FRAIS
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| COOKED MEATS
| APPLE JUICE
| VEGETABLES
| CHEESE
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| | Detection systems to exclude the presence of these organisms need to be sensitive and provide accurate and rapid results. Norpath Laboratories
utilize sophisticated separation and concentration techniques to exclude their presence in food substances and from the environment. The sensitivity of this technique is over 100 times that of conventional methodologies and limits of detection can be as low as 2 organisms per gramme of food.
For further information please contact
Norpath Laboratories.
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