Escherichia coli, or E.coli, is perhaps one of the most recognised bacteria in the area of microbiology, widely known for its dual role in scientific research and its notoriety in food safety incidents. As we navigate the complexities of foodborne pathogens, understanding E.coli's behaviour and the risks it poses is crucial for safeguarding public health. At FreshCheck, we strive to bring innovative solutions to the forefront of food safety, ensuring that businesses can detect and manage these risks effectively. Our mission is to make contamination visible. We aim to simplify the process of microbial detection, making it accessible and reliable for food producers of all sizes, ultimately enhancing consumer safety and trust.
Historical Discovery
First identified in 1886 by Theodor Escherich (who later gave his name to the organism) in samples of human faeces, E.coli has long been a common cause of food related disease and is now one of the most highly tested for organisms commonly present in the food chain.
E.coli - Scientific Utility
Indeed, E.coli’s ubiquity and ease of culturing means that it has become a model organism and has been used in many scientific endeavours from creating a bacteria-powered computer, to being used to prove the theory of evolution.
Disease Mechanisms
E.coli has a number of different mechanisms with which it can cause disease. Most often, high levels can cause irritation in the gut which can lead to gastro-enteritis – unpleasant but eminently survivable. However certain strains of E.coli can express toxins which can cause much more serious health problems. These strains are usually referred to as STEC (Shiga Toxin E.coli) or VTEC (Vero Toxin E.coli) and can cause serious diseases, which often present with life-threatening complications. Initially the strain that garnered most attention was E.coli O157, which has been responsible for many outbreaks of serious illness.
Toxic Strains
As time and testing methods go on, more strains are being identified as problematic VTEC-producing strains. The standard E.coli test used in the food industry will not detect most of the VTEC E.coli - most commercial testing has historically been presence/absence aimed at the O157 serotype specifically, which means that other VTEC producing strains have the potential to get through undetected.
Testing Evolution
E.coli are considered to be indicators of each other – thus if you have some types of E.coli present this increases the likelihood that there will be others. And sometimes what is present in the product contaminates the environment, but equally sometimes it is the other way around.
Detection Challenges
The difficulties associated with testing means that it is extra important to have a clear idea about typical levels of bacteria and where hotspots of bacterial activity might be. There is no perfect system for detecting contamination and a good hygiene management system will draw conclusions from multiple sources, which are ideally working together to cover each other’s shortcomings. This is essential to avoid costly recalls and dangerous products.
Hygiene Importance
As the landscape of foodborne pathogens, particularly E.coli, evolves, so too must our approaches to detecting and managing these risks. Traditional testing methods, while foundational, often fall short in identifying emerging VTEC-producing strains, underscoring the need for more comprehensive and adaptive testing solutions. FreshCheck's technology is designed to address these gaps. By integrating our advanced, user-friendly testing tools into your hygiene management system, you gain a more complete picture of microbial activity, enabling proactive measures against contamination. Our commitment at FreshCheck is not just to detect but to prevent, ensuring that food safety is never compromised and aligning with our core mission to protect public health while supporting the food industry's need for reliable, cost-effective hygiene monitoring. Contact us to learn more about our hygiene verification solutions.