E. coli: How can I tell if food is contaminated?

You can't tell whether a food is contaminated with E. coli by the way it looks, smells or tastes. Although most types of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are harmless, a few nasty strains, such as E. coli O157:H7, can cause serious food-borne illness. To protect yourself from E. coli and other food-borne illnesses, follow basic food safety guidelines:

• Rinse raw produce thoroughly; scrub those with a firm surface.
• Wash your hands, utensils and kitchen surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after preparing or eating food.
• Keep raw foods, especially meats, separate from ready-to-eat foods.
• Cook your food thoroughly, especially ground beef to a minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods promptly.
• Avoid unpasteurized juices, ciders and dairy products.
• Don't drink untreated water from lakes or streams.