Egypt seeks to distance itself from blame over Germany E coli outbreak

INVESTIGATIONS are ongoing to identify the source of the E coli outbreak in Germany, with Egypt yesterday seeking to remove itself from suspicion.

Egypt said that its tests on locally produced fenugreek seeds had proven negative for any presence of the deadly bacteria. The tests on random samples from the warehouses of Organic Green Co followed the EU decision to temporarily ban the import of certain types of Egyptian seeds.

Some public confusion persists over the outbreak, with bean sprouts, fenugreek and cucumber seeds having been cited as possible sources of bacteria. The EU said there is no danger in eating salad vegetables such as cucumbers, lettuce, courgettes and tomatoes.

French authorities had suggested a possible link between Egyptian fenugreek seeds and its E coli outbreak. However, the Central Administration of Plant Quarantine, a division of Egypt’s Department of Agriculture, has confirmed its test results in a fax sent to the offices of the EU delegation in Cairo.

The EU had said that a single batch of fenugreek was the likely cause of outbreaks in Germany and France, though where the contamination took place remains an open question.

“If fenugreek seed sprouts are suspected to be contaminated with E coli, it could be related to different handling processes,” the CAPQ said in the fax, a copy of which was sent to the Bloomberg press agency.

Meanwhile, with 48 tonnes of unsold Irish cucumbers destroyed in line with the EU’s compensation scheme to restore the horticulture market, Irish concerns have moved onto the possible crisis management lessons to be learned from the outbreak.

In response to a Dáil question by independent Kildare TD Catherine Murphy on whether “any lessons can be learned from the way the issue was handled”, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said the commission is to consider whether there is a need to strengthen EU hygiene rules on the production of seed for food for human consumption.

The commission has also acknowledged there are lessons to be drawn from the outbreak in terms of co-ordination and the need for clear communication to the public. It is to engage in a full review of early warning and response procedures.

Minister Coveney said: “The European Food Safety Authority, EFSA, together with the French authorities are in the process of investigating the outbreak in France and a special task force has been established. To date, investigations are focusing on seed grown outside the EU and imported during 2010. Commissioner Dalli emphasised that there was no danger from the consumption of salad vegetables such as cucumbers, lettuce, courgettes and tomatoes. Consumers need to know that.”