Copper urged to block food bug

Tuesday June 7th, 2011

Caterers might need to start serving their salads in copper dishes with copper cutlery.

British experts believe more use should be made of copper to stop the spread of infections such as E.coli.

Researchers at Southampton University say they have powerful evidence of how copper surfaces eliminate E.coli infection.

The scientists have studied the impact of copper on several strains of E.coli - although they admit they have not had a chance to study the new 0104:H4 strain that has emerged on Germany and is thought to have been spread by raw vegetables.

Researcher Professor Bill Keevil said his team had just completed its study of E.coli.

On dry copper, the scientists found that ten million E.coli bacteria could be killed within ten minutes. On wet copper destruction of the organisms took about 45 minutes.

Copper alloys such as brass and bronze can also do this, he said.

The findings are due to be revealed at the World Health Organisation International Conference on Prevention and Infection Control in Geneva at the end of the month.

Professor Keevil said: "A study looking at copper's efficacy against new strains of E. coli has just been completed.

"Although it did not specifically look at O104, all the strains investigated have died rapidly on copper."

* So far 11 cases of infection with the deadly new strain have been reported in the UK - all involving travellers from Germany, according to the Health Protection Agency.

Some 16 deaths have been reported in Germany. The HPA said there was no laboratory evidence yet to support claims of a link to bean sprouts.

Tags: Diet & Food | Europe | MRSA & Hygiene | UK News

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