Latest news with #coliformbacteria
South China Morning Post
28-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong suspends imports of Japanese Kochi ice cream product over bacteria
Hong Kong health authorities have issued a food safety alert and suspended imports of a Japanese ice cream product after discovering coliform bacteria levels well above legal limits. The black tea-flavoured ice cream, branded as Kochi Ice and imported by Shin Tai Ho (Hong Kong) Company, was found to contain 140 coliform bacteria per gram, above the regulated threshold of 100. The Centre for Food Safety disclosed the findings on Monday following routine testing at the import level under its Food Surveillance Programme. The bacteria is from the same genus as E coli and can cause diarrhoea and other dysenteric symptoms. The ice cream, packaged in 115ml portions with a best-before date of April 18, 2027, had already entered the local market before the warning. Authorities stressed that while the contamination did not necessarily cause food poisoning, it was a sign of unsatisfactory hygiene standards during production.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Islanders told to boil water after bacteria found
Boil notices have been issued for people living and staying on an island off the coast of Cornwall, after bacteria was found in water supplies. South West Water (SWW) said the boil water notice had been issued to about 80 properties after samples taken in the New Grimsby area of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly identified "low levels of coliform bacteria". The company said the cause of the outbreak was being investigated and such notices were normally lifted after two days of clear results. It is the second issue reported with water systems in the Isles of Scilly this week after a faulty pipe led to supplies running low on the neighbouring island of Bryher. The water company said residents could continue to wash and shower "as normal", but should boil water used for drinking, brushing teeth and food preparation. It said bottled water was being supplied to Tresco for vulnerable customers on it priority services register. The NHS said most coliform bacteria live in humans and animals harmlessly, but it can cause infection if it gets into certain parts of the body, such as the bladder or bloodstream. SWW said coliform bacteria was widely distributed within the environment and can survive and grow in water. It said any bacteria could be killed by boiling the water. More news stories for Cornwall Listen to the latest news for Cornwall "We are investigating the cause and have taken actions to resolve the issue such as increasing chlorine levels within permitted limits and flushing the network," a SWW spokesperson added. "Other parts of the island are being tested, and at this stage, New Grimsby is the only area affected." The company said those affected are being "updated regularly on the situation". Follow BBC Cornwall on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ More on this story Water supplies return to island as pipe fixed Island told to conserve water amid pipework fault South West Water boss Susan Davy to retire Related internet links South West Water
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Tresco islanders told to boil water after bacteria found
Boil notices have been issued for people living and staying on an island off the coast of Cornwall, after bacteria was found in water West Water (SWW) said the boil water notice had been issued to about 80 properties after samples taken in the New Grimsby area of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly identified "low levels of coliform bacteria".The company said the cause of the outbreak was being investigated and such notices were normally lifted after two days of clear is the second issue reported with water systems in the Isles of Scilly this week after a faulty pipe led to supplies running low on the neighbouring island of Bryher. The NHS said most coliform bacteria live in humans and animals harmlessly, but it can cause infection if it gets into certain parts of the body, such as the bladder or said coliform bacteria was widely distributed within the environment and can survive and grow in said any bacteria could be killed by boiling the water. "We are investigating the cause and have taken actions to resolve the issue such as increasing chlorine levels within permitted limits and flushing the network," a SWW spokesperson added."Other parts of the island are being tested, and at this stage, New Grimsby is the only area affected."the company said those affected are being "updated regularly on the situation".
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Major 'do not drink' update issued to British homes after faecal bacteria was found in UK tap water
Residents of North Yorkshire can now use their tap water as normal after a boil notice issued was withdrawn. Yorkshire Water issued the notice for residents in High Bentham, Low Bentham and Lonsdale areas yesterday. The ban came after routine testing detected the presence of high levels of coliform bacteria. These bacteria are commonly found in digestive systems of animals and people and include organisms like E. coli and indicate water supply may have been contaminated with faecal matter. Residents were told to boil their water before drinking it, using it to brush their teeth or using it in food preparation. A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: 'We can confirm we are now able to lift the boil water instruction at all affected properties in the area as the water is now back to our usual high standards.' The water ban has caused stress and anxiety among Yorkshire residents, with people 'panic buying' bottled water, according to a Bentham hotel worker. Speaking before the notice was lifted Professor Paul Hunter, an expert in infectious diseases from the University of East Anglia, said: 'I would be very surprised if Yorkshire Water issued a warning like that without detecting high levels of E. coli.' 'If you get lots of coliform then that means something in the water isn't right and indicates there's a problem that needs to be addressed', he added. Whilst most coliform bacteria won't make healthy people severely ill, consumers should be wary of E. Coli and Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC)—a potentially life-threatening strain of the disease. Professor Hunter said: 'The main concern is diarrhoeal disease or norovirus, which could cause severe or nasty infections. While catching STEC could be fatal in vulnerable people.' STEC can also cause haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) —a life-threatening condition that can lead to kidney failure. A small proportion of adults may develop a similar condition called thrombotic thrombocytopaenic purpura a rare, life-threatening blood clotting disorder. Yorkshire Water has also advised people who feel unwell in the coming days to inform their doctor about the boil notice. While the notice has now been lifted, experts have told MailOnline the issues that likely led to the contamination of the water supplies in the region are present in every part of the nation. Dr Simon Clarke, an infectious disease expert from the University of Reading, said Britain's ageing water infrastructure meant the risk of such incidents is on the rise. 'The water and sewage infrastructure in this country is leading to regular sewage discharges into rivers, therefore there is a greater environmental spread of these bacteria,' he said. He added that coliform bacteria can also wash out from cattle and sheep fields into reservoirs that are used for drinking water supplies. But he said that in a developed country, like the UK, systems should be in place to stop this from happening. Other experts said the UK's recent warm weather could also be a factor increasing the risk of such incidents. With the country's mini heatwave seeing temperatures up to 29C (84 F), 'the unseasonably dry weather', could be the cause of the high levels of bacteria, says Dr Jonathan Paul, from the Department of Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London. 'Potentially, this could lead water companies to divert supply or use supplies, reservoirs or groundwater sources they don't normally use,' he said.
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Boil order issued for tap water in 200 postcodes
Yorkshire Water issued a "do not drink" warning for tap water in nearly 200 postcodes across High Bentham, Low Bentham, and Burton in Lonsdale due to above-average levels of coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria, often found in the digestive systems of humans and animals, can indicate the presence of harmful bacteria and cause gastrointestinal issues. Residents were advised to boil water before consumption or use bottled water provided by Yorkshire Water. After further testing and monitoring, Yorkshire Water lifted the boil water notice, confirming that the water met their usual high standards. The company apologised for the inconvenience and thanked residents for their patience.
