Shiga toxin -producing Escherichia coli and regulatory implications in the field of Public Health in light of recent outbreaks in Europe

The increasingly widespread habit of consuming ready-to-eat foods, especially foods not subjected to heat treatment, has contributed to the occurrence of new outbreaks of foodborne illness. In 2011, outbreaks caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli occurred in several European Union (EU) countries and this led to a legislative evolution on food safety at the EU level. This article outlines the recommendations made to ensure food safety within the food chains, especially in relation to foods potentially responsible for Escherichia coli VTEC infections, and focuses on measures adopted at EU level to ensure consumer protection.