EHEC in Germany

It is summer in Germany, and especially here in the Pfalz. This is the season where our lunches and dinners are dominated by fresh and crisp salads, tomatoes, cucumbers and more. All of it needed to keep (or get into) the bikini shape. Besides the fact, that it is the important part of good nutritions and a healthy lifestyle...

Since a couple of weeks though we can't have any of these great vegetables. So far, 17 people have died and by now over 2000 are infected by the EHEC bacteria. A very aggressive and new form of bacteria, for which we lack the right treatment. The Robert Koch Institute gave out a warning after the outbreak of the first cases, that the only food eaten by all infected patients was just those three named above. All we have, is the 'vague certainty' of playing safe by not consuming those veggies. But no-one knows for sure. And despite the fact, that most cases appear in Northern Germany, it effects us down here, too. Very sad, to see farmers throw away tons and tons worth millions of €! And while we really want to support them by eating their produce anyway - we simply can't. Just looking at a salad gives a twinge to the stomach...

So, for now, we will have to continue to fry and cook all veggies and hope for the culprit to be found very soon so life can continue as normal at the salad-bar.

Cheers,
Heike