Alarming results of the BVL in zoonosis monitoring

Zoonoses are infectious diseases transmissible from animal to human and from human to animal. The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) warns, among other things, of Shiga toxin-forming E. coli (STEC).

According to a report just published by the BVL, STEC bacteria were detected in 13.2% of all lamb samples tested during monitoring in 2020. These can cause acute intestinal inflammation and kidney failure in small children, pregnant women, the elderly and immunocompromised persons. The toxin-producing E.coli bacteria colonise the intestines of ruminants (incl. game) and are excreted with the faeces. Poor slaughter and processing hygiene lead to contamination of food. In organic farming, the pathogens can also be transferred to plant products via the spreading of manure on the fields and contaminated irrigation water. Therefore, these bacteria were also detected in 9.2 % of the wheat flour samples examined in the monitoring!

Therefore, strict hygiene must be observed in the kitchen and, in particular, separate chopping boards should always be used for meat or salads, fruit and vegetables and thoroughly cleaned afterwards. Meat should ideally be served well cooked. And even if it is difficult, it is better to avoid licking the dough during Christmas baking and only eat the finished and still warm biscuits.  

YOUR PLUS: The AGROLAB food laboratories carry out all tests on raw materials, feed and foodstuffs for their general microbiological quality and also test specifically for pathogenic germs, including the toxin-producing E.coli bacteria. We also support you with professional sampling and hygiene controls on site.

Read more in German:
https://www.bvl.bund.de/

Author: Dr. Frank Mörsberger