Occurrence of EHEC bacteria in Swedish wheat flour

EHEC are shigatoxin-producing E. coli bacteria that can cause severe gastrointestinal disease, particularly for children. Outbreaks of EHEC are often caused by contaminated meat products, unpasteurized dairy products and leafy greens. In recent years multiple outbreaks have been concluded to have been caused by contamination of flour. The present project will investigate the presence of the EHEC serotypes O157, O121 and O26 and any shiga-toxin producing E. coli in Swedish wheat flour.