Recall action EHEC bacteria in this organic vegetable - Do not consume!

Bioland provider recalls various sprouts vegetables

Currently, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety warns about EHEC germs that are rampant in various organic vegetables. Awarded the Bioland seal, the sprout manufacturer Healthy Powerfood GbR recalls several sprout products that have been sold to health food stores, among others.

According to a warning from the consumer protection portal "lebensmittelwarnung.de" the following products from the company Healthy Powerfood GbR from Worms are recalled with the minimum durability date October 29, 2018:

• Sprouts Alfalfa
• Spit salad mix
• Sprouts gourmet
• Sprouts on the bread
• freckles

Various varieties of the sprout manufacturer Healthy Powerfood GbR with the best before date October 29, 2018 are recalled due to rampant EHEC germs. (Image: TwilightArtPictures / fotolia.com)

The consumption is strongly discouraged

In the context of product controls, verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli bacteria (VTEC) were detected in the sprouts. These pathogens are highly infectious. Already ten to 100 germs are enough to trigger sometimes dramatic diarrhea. The sprouts were offered, among others, in the organic shops "basic" and "Denns organic market". The federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate are affected by the recall.

EHEC bacteria can cause bloody diarrhea

As reported by the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety, pathogenic enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli bacteria, EHEC for short, are considered to be one of the most common causes of intestinal diseases with diarrhea worldwide. Recently, there was another callback for cheese for EHEC bacteria. An infection can lead to inflammation of the colon and bloody diarrhea, the so-called hemorrhagic colitis.

How does an EHEC infection go??

EHEC bacteria cause diarrhea in humans, which can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications. EHEC symptoms include severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, abdominal cramping, nausea and vomiting, and fever. An illness lasts an average of eight days and often improves suddenly. An EHEC infection is notifiable according to § 7 of the Infection Protection Act.

How dangerous are EHEC pathogens?

Especially in infants and children under six years, the elderly or immunocompromised persons can develop a so-called hemolytic uremic syndrome after the disease. This causes damage to the blood vessels, the red blood cells and the kidneys. As a result, sufferers are often dependent on dialysis. Also, neurological disorders and damage to organs such as the pancreas and heart may occur. In the worst case, a fatal multi-organ failure occurs.

When should you see a doctor??

Anyone who has consumed the sprouts of Healthy Powerfood GbR with a minimum shelf-life of 29 October 2018 and subsequently suffers from one or more of the symptoms mentioned, should seek medical treatment quickly and mention the consumption of the sprouts. "To go without preventive medical treatment is not useful," writes the manufacturer in a press release to the recall. (Vb)