An outbreak of E. coli O104:H4 in Germany was linked to what product?

• A. Fenugreek sprouts
• B. Alfalfa sprouts
• C. Spinach
• D. Bean sprouts

Answer: (A)

Sprouts are a high-risk vehicle for bacterial contamination because seeds germinate in warm, moist conditions that also favor rapid bacterial growth. If seeds are contaminated, the resulting sprouts can harbor and spread pathogens throughout the entire sprouting process and in the final product.

In this German outbreak, investigators traced the illness to fenugreek sprouts. Laboratory and epidemiological evidence linked the E. coli O104:H4 strain to a batch of fenugreek seeds used to produce sprouts, pointing to that sprouted product as the source. The other options were not identified as the vehicle in this outbreak, making fenugreek sprouts the best answer.