Clams withdrawn from supermarkets for Escherichia coli, the affected lots

The bacterium Escherichia coli returns to threaten the tables of Italians, especially those laid out and ready to enjoy a nice plate of pasta with clams. In fact, the Ministry of Health has published on its website a recall note for some batches of lupine clams, a variety of the mollusk which is very widespread in our seas, from the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian Sea, due to the risk of an excessive presence of the bacterium.

The alarm was therefore immediately launched to consumers who were asked not to consume the affected lots for any reason and to return them as soon as possible to the points of sale where they were purchased or to throw them away.

Excessive Escherichia coli risk in clams

To be interested in the recall of the Ministry of Health is the product of Goro Fishermen’s Consortium (Co.Pe.Go.) which is present on the counters of supermarkets such as Esselunga. In fact, a check on the clams revealed a possible microbiological risk due to the presence, beyond safety limits, of the Escherichia Coli bacterium.

This is not the first time an alarm of this kind has occurred, in fact there are several reports that follow one another on the Ministry’s website to try to intercept potentially risky products. And from the pages of the Dicastery and also from the Esselunga supermarket chain came the call to try to stem any type of problem.

The document, which was published last March 15, reports all the specifications of the recalled product. As mentioned, these are lupine clams produced by the Goro Fishermen’s Consortium and which are sold in mesh packages weighing 1 kilogram.

Specifically, those with a numerical sequence are also reported as recalled lots 438879, 438952, 438881, 438940 and 438955.

The recommendation of the health authorities is not to consume the food product as a precaution. Furthermore, for further information you can contact the Goro Fishermen’s Consortium at the email address [email protected], as indicated in the recall notice.

Escherichia coli, causes and symptoms of the infection

But what is Escherichia coli and what are the risks? It is a bacterium that can cause intestinal diseases of varying severity or extra intestinal infections. The infection can be caused by contaminated water or food and can be very dangerous, especially for children they elderly peoplewhich can develop a form of kidney failure life-threatening. To eradicate any possible threat, it is recommended to cook food well to allow the high temperature to neutralize the bacterium.

Among the most common symptoms after contracting the infection are:

• diarrhea;
• abdominal cramps;
• nausea;
• vomit.

No drug is able to protect against Escherichia coli infection, it is therefore important to prevent any possible situation that could lead to the infection.

Recommended avoid risky foods such as undercooked meat and unpasteurized milk, as well as wash carefully foods raw and wash them cooking utensils with warm, soapy water before and after contact with produce and raw meat. Particular attention should also be given to hygiene, with the advice to wash your hands well before cooking, after using the bathroom, after changing diapers or after touching animals.