This Tuesday, May 24, an alert from Rappel Conso warns consumers about the contamination of “Thai noodles” sold at the catering stand at Auchan Hypermarché Strasbourg. These prepared meals were contaminated by the presence of the bacterium Escherichia coli.
What information should I know about this product that should not be eaten?
Sold between May 9 and May 12, 2022 at the catering stand at Auchan Hypermarché Strasbourg, these packaged “Thai noodles” are infected with E. coli bacteria. As a result, consumers are required not to eat or use this dish again.
They are also advised to return the product to the point of sale and/or to contact it on 0388564141. In addition, in case of return of the dish, the buyer can be refunded as compensation.
It is to highlight that the end date of the recall procedure is set for Friday, June 3, 2022. For information, the packaging date is marked on the label of the bag given to the customer upon purchase.
E. coli: how can you be infected?
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is an anaerobic bacterium that normally lives in the digestive tract of warm-blooded, healthy living things. In the majority of cases, this bacterium is harmless to health. It even participates in the digestion of food that is ingested.
Technically, a person develops an E. coli infection by ingesting certain strains of E. coli bacteria. These bacteria move through your digestive tract and release a harmful toxin along the way. This toxin, called shiga-toxin, damages the lining of the small intestine. Then, it is the growth of the growing infection that causes the symptoms.
What are the symptoms of E. coli infection?
Symptoms of an E. coli infection can appear just a day after exposure to the bacteria. But in general, they appear three to four days after exposure. However, there are cases where it can take up to 10 days after eating or drinking something that contains the bacteria before a person develops symptoms.
The different symptoms of an E. Coli infection include:
- watery diarrhea, which can be severe with the presence of blood in the stool;
- nausea ;
- dehydration due to diarrhea;
- quite pronounced stomach cramps;
- a little tiredness;
- possible vomiting;
- and a slight fever of 38.5°C.
Who can be infected with E. coli?
Anyone who comes into contact with a pathogenic strain of E. coli can be infected with this bacterium. However, those most at risk are:
- the very young (newborns and children);
- seniors ;
- people who travel to certain countries at risk.
- and people with an immune system weakened by their condition (diabetic, pregnant women, people with cancer, etc.).
How is an E. coli infection treated?
Fortunately, most E. coli infections go away on their own. An infected person should begin to feel better about five to seven days after the first symptoms appear.
Additionally, E. coli infection can be managed by drinking plenty of fluids to replace what has been lost through diarrhea and/or vomiting. It is advisable to rest as much as possible.
However, if you have any other concerns regarding your symptoms (diarrhoea for more than three days, high fever, severe fatigue, etc.) or your specific risks given your medical history, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible.