8/3/2019 E Coli O104 Bean Sprouts CASE STUDY_ Dickson

1/2

CASE STUDY

E. COLI O104 AND BEAN SPROUTS (GLOBAL)

Notification: World Health Organization and CDC

Hazard type: BacterialHazard E.coli O104Risk: Class 1 Recall

The summer of 2011 there was an outbreak of Escherichia coli O104:H4 associated with bean sprouts that originated in Germany. After months of investigating, the outbreak ledto 4,236 illness, 898 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 50 deaths through Europeand the United States. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious DiseaseResearch and Policy at the University of Minnesota, said, Fenugreek is showing upclearly in the French outbreak and showing up clearly in the German outbreak. The link to fenugreek, a clover-like plant used as both an herb and a spice, was identified after

disease investigators found it was served at an event attended by patients in the Bordeauxsuburb of Begles. A cold buffet was served consisting of crudites, or raw vegetables,three dips, industrially produced gazpacho, a choice of two cold soups, pasteurized fruit

juices and individual dishes composed of white grapes, tomatoes, sesame seeds, chives,industrially produced soft cheese and fruit, the report said. The soups were served withfenugreek sprouts, a small amount of which were also placed on the crudite dishes.Mustard and rocket sprouts, still growing on cotton wool, were used to decorate thedishes, the authors said. The sprouts had been grown from rocket, mustard and fenugreek seeds planted at the center the previous week. The seeds were bought from a branch of anational chain of gardening retailers, having been supplied by a distributor in the U.K.,the authors said.The written report will be assessed for. A. Knowledge on food safety; B. Managementknowledge; C. Ethics; D. Legislation.

Please answer the following questions:

FOOD SAFETY

1. What are the characteristics of an E.coli O 104 food poisoning?2. What specific, detailed questions would you ask to determine what

happened to cause the product to become contaminated?3. Based upon your answers to Question 1, what was the most likely cause

(s) of this outbreak?4. What specific steps would you take to prevent this scenario?5. What are the key lessons that you learned from this case study?6. What courses in your curriculum helped you address the scenario in this

case study?7. Were these case studies useful in providing an opportunity to apply

classroom information/knowledge? If yes, give specific examples.1------------------------------------------------------------------------5

8/3/2019 E Coli O104 Bean Sprouts CASE STUDY_ Dickson

2/2

A. MANAGEMENT

I.1. Was communication among the stakeholders involved in this case was

well conducted?

2.

Did the parties involved worked appropriately?3. Was the situation described in the text managed properly?

B. ETHICS1. Are any vulnerable groups with high exposure to this hazard?2. Are the economical losses involved too high when compared to the risk

for the consumers?3. In your opinion is the level of consumers` protection adequate and the

legislative framework correct? Would you suggest a different scenario if you were to decide an action plan?

C.

Legislation1. The authorities did their job well?2. Did they react fast enough to protect the consumers?