Egyptian seeds source of virulent E. coli bacteria

The European Union has banned the importation of some seeds from Egypt after concluding that a single shipment of fenugreek seeds from the country is the most likely source of the virulent E. coli bacteria that has killed at least 49 people, the Voice of America informs. It is also thought to be behind a smaller outbreak in France, European investigators said on Tuesday.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has urged the European commission to make "all efforts" to prevent any further consumer exposure to suspect seeds and advised consumers not to eat sprouts or sprouted seeds unless they are cooked thoroughly, the Guardian.co.uk reports.

Fenugreek is a clover-shaped plant whose leaves are commonly used as an herb and also in curries. The seeds are often sold dried and if they are contaminated with E coli, then the bacteria can survive for years. In Germany, the fenugreek seeds were sold in mixed spice packages with lentil seeds.

However, in Britain the company had been planning to sell them as seeds for planting rather than for consumption. So far, the strain has killed 51 people - 49 deaths in Germany and one each in Sweden and the US, the “scotsman.com” reports.