# 5651
Even as the sprout-linked EHEC outbreak in Germany drags on, a new (and similar) outbreak has been reported in Bordeaux, France - with seven people hospitalized.
This report from Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
French E coli outbreak likened to deadly German drama
Jun 26, 2011, 10:05 GMT
Paris - This week's outbreak of E Coli in the south-western French city of Bordeaux bears the hallmarks of the outbreak that claimed dozens of lives in Germany, French media reports said Sunday.
As a possible link to a UK supplier of sprout seeds has been mentioned (but not confirmed), the UK’s Food Standards Agency has issued a revised safety statement on the preparing and handling of sprout seeds.
Updated sprouted beans statement
Saturday 25 June 2011
Following further cases of E. coli in France, the Food Standards Agency is revising its guidance on the consumption of sprouted seeds such as alfalfa, mung beans (usually known as beansprouts) and fenugreek.
As a precaution, the Agency is advising that sprouted seeds should only be eaten if they have been cooked thoroughly until steaming hot throughout; they should not be eaten raw.
The investigations into the outbreak of E. coli in France have suggested a possible link to sprouting seeds from a company based in the UK. To date, no cases of food poisoning have been reported in the UK linked to the outbreak in France. We are in close contact with the Health Protection Agency who is actively monitoring the situation.
The Agency also advises that equipment which has been used for sprouting seeds should be cleaned thoroughly after use. You should always wash your hands after handling seeds intended for planting or sprouting.
