Bacteria E coli causes kidney failure; India on high alert

New Delhi, Jun 4: The bacteria E coli has already infected over 1,700 people across 12 European nations, especially Germany. Now, India has been put on high alert as experts claimed that the food-born bacteria may soon taint Indian shore.

Citing the stern situation in Europe, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said, "We are keeping a close watch on all imports into India, especially food items. Records, however, show no food items have come to India in the past five months from Europe."

"We have alerted our staff in the major ports like Kolkata, Haldia, Mumbai, Chennai and JNPT and airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata to keep a close watch," added the FSSAI spokesperson.

E coli, which has so far killed 17 people in Europe, is believed to a part of the normal bacterial flora. After Europe, presence of E coli in food items have been reported from several countries like Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Britain and the United States.

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