Europe’s E Coli Poses No Immediate Threat

VIVAnews – In European countries, Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) bacteria has infected thousands of people. The outbreak has even caused tens of people died. However, it is signaled that the bacteria have not yet reached Indonesia.

According to Thomas Darmawan from Food and Beverage Entrepreneurs Association (GAPMMI), so far Indonesian food products are still safe from E. Coli bacteria because the fruits and vegetables imported from Europe are processed products.

“What we import is more of processed food such as sweets and raisins,” he said when contacted by VIVAnews.com Tuesday, June 7, 2011.

In spite of the fresh fruits import from France, he went on, the number is small. “We only import apples, and those are also safe,” said Thomas.

This also applies, he said, to other fruits and vegetables products coming from Asia-Pacific countries including Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Taiwan and China. “So our food products are still safe from E. Coli bacteria,” he said.

Earlier, Indonesian Health Ministry suggested that the people be cautious of diseases due to E. Coli bacteria. The reason is, according to Health Ministry, the outbreak has actually started in Germany in mid May 2011.

As of June 2, 2011, Germany has identified 520 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), which caused the death of 11. There were 1,213 cases of enteroharmorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), out of which 6 died. This means there were 1,733 cases and 17 deaths.

Translated by Indah Lestari