Leeks and potatoes are related to E.coli outbreaks

The British Health Protection Agency (HPA) said soiled leeks and potatoes could be the cause of E.coli outbreaks in the UK earlier this year.

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The British epidemic was concluded by the strain of E. coli O157 PT8 , which is a different strain of bacteria that caused outbreaks in Germany earlier this year.

From December 2010 to July 2011, there were 250 cases in England, Wale and Scotland. Most cases were mildly infected, but 74 people were hospitalized and a patient who had a health problem died.

The Food Standards Agency said people mistakenly believed that stains on vegetables would not be harmful. HPA has also emphasized that eating vegetables is safe but recommends that people make sure they are washed before eating.

Professor Bob Adak, head of HPA's disease control team, said: Vegetables can carry contaminated soil. It is possible that vegetable users have been poisoned due to the storage of vegetables, not washing their hands before preparing food or cooking utensils that have not been cleaned after preparing vegetables.

Professor Andrew Wadge, scientific director of The UK Food Standardd Agency (FSA), said people often mistakenly believe that a little dirt will not harm their health.

The soil sometimes contains harmful bacteria, although manufacturers already have vegetable cleaning procedures but the risk will never be completely eliminated.

This outbreak is a timely reminder that all vegetables and fruits need to be cleaned, including salads before eating.