The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Task Force has today reported that organic fenugreek seeds are the most likely source of the outbreaks of E.coli O104:H4 in Germany and France. The two outbreaks appear to be linked to fenugreek seeds imported into the EU from Egypt. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) can confirm that to date no affected batches of fenugreek seeds have been imported into Ireland. However, further trace forward investigations are continuing across all affected EU Member States and conclusive results from these are not expected for some weeks.

Investigations are continuing into how these seeds were contaminated. At this point the possibility of contamination of other batches of seeds from the same supply chain from between 2009 and 2011 cannot be ruled out. In light of these findings, the FSAI’s advice to consumers and the catering sector remains unchanged. It recommends that consumers should not eat raw bean sprouts or other raw sprouted seeds and the catering sector should not serve raw bean sprouts or other raw sprouted seeds. If sprouted seeds are to be consumed they should be cooked thoroughly.

The European Commission has issued a Commission Implementing Decision on emergency measures applicable to fenugreek seeds and certain seeds and beans imported from Egypt.  The Decision provides that all lots of fenugreek seeds imported from one Egyptian exporter between 2009 and 2011 are withdrawn from the market, sampled and destroyed.  All imports of Egyptian seeds and beans for sprouting are suspended until 31st October 2011.

Further to food alert notification  2011.13 , the FSAI continues to work closely with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as well as the European Food Safety Authority, the European Commission and food safety authorities across Member States in monitoring the situation. The FSAI will continue to assess the situation and provide updates as and when necessary.

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