E. coli Recalls

Most strains of Escherichia coli are harmless and live normally in the human gut, but certain ones — notably O157:H7 and other Shiga toxin-producing strains — produce toxins that cause serious illness. In recalls, E. coli most often turns up in leafy greens, sprouts, ground beef, raw flour and unpasteurized dairy or juice.

Public health agencies note symptoms can include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody, and vomiting, with young children and older adults at greater risk of complications. Because contamination usually happens before the product reaches you — in growing, processing or handling — washing produce at home doesn't reliably remove it, which is why recalls of these items ask you to discard or return the product rather than try to clean it.