BfR: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC/VTEC) in flour – first expert exchange
Aug 31, 2022 - Foods
BfR: Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC/VTEC) in flour – first expert exchange
In 2020, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published the opinion “Escherichia coli in Flour - Sources, Risks, and Prevention”. According to the opinion, STEC/VTEC has been repeatedly detected in flour samples (wheat, spelt, rye) during food monitoring (STEC and VTEC are technically identical: STEC = Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, VTEC = Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli).
E. coli in food indicates fecal contamination and can enter the environment and animal and plant-based foods via feces or stool.
Infections with STEC/VTEC can cause gastrointestinal complaints up to bloody diarrhea with fever. Other complications and illnesses, such as the HUS syndrome (hemolytic-uremic syndrome), which destroys blood cells and damages kidney function, may result.
In the past two years, the BfR has discussed open questions and possible measures in professional exchanges with experts from science, food monitoring, the industry, and industry associations, including possible entry sources of STEC in flour or suitable measures for consumer education.
Common heating processes in the production of baked goods such as bread or fine baked goods, as well as other foods containing flour like pastries and sauces, kill STEC/VTEC. However, there is an infection risk when consuming raw doughs made at home or ready-made doughs from the store if the doughs are contaminated with STEC/VTEC.
You can find more information about Escherichia coli and STEC/VTEC in our BAV fact sheets at https://ww.bav-institut.de//en/faqs/steckbrief-zu-escherichia-coli-e-coli-1 and https://www.bav-institut.de//en/faqs/steckbrief-zu-stec-vtec-ehec as well as at https://www.bav-institut.de/en/news/Was-sind-STEC-VTEC-und-EHEC-Ein-Ueberblick-und-deren-Bedeutung-in-Lebensmitteln?referrer=start.
In our laboratory, we regularly conduct tests for Escherichia coli, STEC/VTEC, as well as other pathogenic microorganisms. We provide you with fast and reliable results. For questions, our customer service representatives are happy to assist you.
Sources:
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR)