Researchers detect E. coli contamination in Egyptian dairy products

EGYPT – A recent study led by Osaka Metropolitan University, in collaboration with Egyptian and Japanese researchers, has revealed a concerning prevalence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in popular dairy products in Egypt. 

The findings, published on News-Medical.net, indicate that over 25% of sampled dairy items tested positive for the bacterium, raising significant public health concerns.

The research team analyzed 210 samples encompassing raw milk, cheese, and yogurt. Their results showed that 26.2% of these samples were contaminated with E. coli. 

Notably, raw buffalo milk exhibited the highest contamination rate at 68%, while rayeb, a type of fermented milk, had the lowest at 7.5%. 

The researchers suggest that the preference for raw over pasteurized milk, coupled with varying hygienic practices in small dairies and markets, may contribute to these contamination levels.

Dr. Ahmed El-Sayed, a microbiologist involved in the study, commented on the findings: “Our study highlights the urgent need for improved hygiene standards in dairy production and handling to protect consumers from potential health risks.”

The study also uncovered a concerning link between E. coli strains found in Egypt and those responsible for a significant food poisoning incident in Japan. 

One strain isolated from the 2018 Egyptian samples shared characteristics with the E. coli strain that caused an outbreak in Japan’s Toyama Prefecture in 2021. 

In that incident, contaminated milk led to over 1,800 children across 25 schools falling ill.

Professor Hiroshi Tanaka, a co-author of the study from Osaka Metropolitan University, emphasized the global implications of these findings: “The detection of similar E. coli strains in both Egypt and Japan underscores the importance of international collaboration in food safety research.”

Food poisoning remains a global issue, affecting countries regardless of their hygiene standards. 

This study serves as a reminder of the critical need for stringent food safety protocols worldwide to prevent such outbreaks and protect public health.

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