Ireland Has EU's Highest Rate Of Ecoli

The number E.coli cases reported in Ireland is more than five times the EU average, doubling in the space of a year, according to a report published today.

The study into Verotoxigenic E.Coli, which affects the digestive system, was compiled by the European Food Safety Authority (Efsa) who said that some 225 cases were reported in 2008.

Ireland’s average of 4.8 cases per 100,000 inhabitants was over 1.5% higher that next highest country, Sweden. Irish cases have increased more than threefold in four years.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said the increase may be due to the contamination of private wells by heavy rainfall during the summer of 2008.

Meanwhile, the FSAI also today announced it is providing a new free email and SMS text service which will directly inform food allergy sufferers of the presence of allergens in inappropriately labelled foods.

Anyone with an interest in the area can subscribe to receive the alerts via the FSAI’s website. A statement on the FSAI's website today said that food allergen alerts will be issued upon receipt of information that a food product poses a risk to certain consumers’ health, due to missing or incorrect allergen labelling.

Food allergen alerts will also be issued to enforcement officers and food businesses and the service is available from today.

(DW)