SICUREZZA ALIMENTARE Food Safety
Escherichia coli Ehec: un pericolo emergente nelle farine Strains of Escherichia coli Ehec in flours: an emerging hazard
E
scherichia coli is a bacterium that lives in the intestines of humans and animals (mainly cattle and swine) and its presence in food is a sign of a lack of hygiene during the production. Some strains of E. coli, however, can cause severe haemorrhagic colitis in
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humans and, sometimes, severe kidney damages. These strains, called Stec or Ehec, are often present in raw milk and fresh beef and pork meat, but recently their presence has also been reported in various types of flour. The risks to human health derive
both from the consumption of raw or lightly cooked flours and pastries and from cross-contamination that can occur in domestic kitchens. The article is a summary of current knowledge on this new emerging hazard for the flour.
d’Italia
