Cucumbers e coli?

dannie

I know there is conflicting news about the e coli/cucumbers but if you are not sure of the source of yours (acquired UK), what are you folks doing please?

peter_the_piper

Are you talking about the fruit or a plant? As all infections seem to come from Germany I can't see a problem with home produced fruit, if in doubt wash them.

dannie

I mean the store purchased green cucumbers.

Lotus-eater

It seems to me at this early stage, where we know almost nothing, that the contamination has to have occurred in Germany somewhere. So I'm not really worried at all about buying them.

My cucumbers are growing fast and it won't be too long before I have my own, then I don't care.

J_J_Carter

It's just organic produce that's the risk.

Lotus-eater

J_J_Carter wrote: »

It's just organic produce that's the risk.

Hold on you can't just say that. The facts are, that E-coli has been found in cucumbers from Spain (reports seem to be unclear if these are organic or not). This is not the same strain of E-coli that killed the people, they do not know where this strain came from.
So at the moment, nothing is a risk. Unless you live in Germany.

woodwoman

Hi guys.
In need of some more advice about cucumbers this time
I have 4 in a square tub that look to be doing well at the moment.3 of them are flowering and I was wondering about the hight that they will grow to (the plants) and what support they will need as they are leaning on a cane just now.And should they be seperated or can I leave them in the same tub.The tub is the square poundland kind,it was all I had left to use for them.However will sport out and buy other containers if needed.I was thinking it would be cramped as they get taller.

Thanks in advance.

moonrakerz

I bought a cucumber from a German store (Lidl) this morning - is it safe to eat - or should I boil it first ??:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Lotus-eater

I would boil it into a mush, then feed it to the dog. Just to be safe.

floyd

When I went shopping yesterday, I did my usual shop with lettuce, toms and cucumbers (none of mine are ready yet) and a woman walked past and peered into my trolley with a look of confusion and pity that I was stupid enough to buy such a demon item. I was completely taken aback, when I told my friend she said "Why didn't you just tell her you weren't buying it to eat, it was for personal use and see her reaction" :rotfl::eek::rotfl::eek::rotfl::eek:

Anyway, for what its worth my job involves a hefty amount of microbiology and handling these sorts of beasties every day. I'm still eating salad, British of course and have no doubt that this is nothing more than nature doing what it does best, adapting to surroundings. I have heard people talking about terrorist attacks and government plots etc but bacteria and viruses are ingenious little things, they can adapt to their environment and even swap bits of DNA with other bacteria so to find this E.coli is 'new' and never been seen before is no great surprise. Practice good handwashing and kitchen hygiene and you can't go far wrong. If it makes you feel any better, wipe the cucumber skin down with 70% ethanol but I won't be bothering.

valk_scot

floyd wrote: »

If it makes you feel any better, wipe the cucumber skin down with 70% ethanol but I won't be bothering.

Pickled cucumbers only then? :rotfl: