Mark from Ontario asks:

What is E.Coli? Everyone says it’s bad and I’ve heard of Walkerton where it killed a bunch of people in the water but what exactly is it?

Thanks for writing in.

E.Coli is a rod shaped bacteria that is usually found in the intestines of warm blooded animals, including humans. Here is a picture of what they look like under a microscope:

There are many strains of e.coli, not all of them dangerous. In fact, the strain of e.coli in your gut does two good things for you. It produces vitamin K which aids in blood coagulation, and it also crowds out other pathogens that may try to infect you.

Other strains of E.Coli aren’t so good for you. Some found in barn animals like pigs, cows, sheep, etc., can make you sick. They tend to cause gut issues including diarrhea.  Some strains can be deadly, like the bacteria that invaded the water mains of Walkerton Ontario, killing 7 and making many more sick, some forever with kidney issues.

E.Coli comes directly from fecal contamination. What this means is that it’s important to wash produce in clean water thoroughly before consuming it. Also, ensure you fully cook meat before consuming.  When you are done preparing your food, ensure you wipe down your preparation surface with a good disinfectant cleaner to eliminate any traces of e.coli or other.

I hope that helps.

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