May 31, 2011

Cucumber under scrutiny

-- PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

A cucumber is dissected as tests continue in Germany following the outbreak of a strain of E. coli bacteria that has left at least 11 people dead and more than 1,000 ill across Europe. The authorities in Germany, which has suffered the brunt of the outbreak, say they have traced some bacteria on organic cucumbers imported from Spain. But the source of the contamination has yet to be identified fully. In Singapore, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) has widened its testing to include vegetables from anywhere in the European Union.