Blame the authorities for the E coli panic — not Germany or Spain

IF a brave Irish consumer wanted to eat a Spanish cucumber, it would be difficult now that they have been removed from the shelves of most large retailers.

No cases of the lethal strain of E coli which has killed 18 people in Germany have emerged in Ireland, and there have been assurances from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland that there is no need for concern. But still we’re not taking in chances.

And who can blame us? The information given by the authorities has been patchy and unclear. While Spanish cucumbers are now cleared of the charges against them, it’s unlikely anyone loves cucumber enough to risk their life eating one.