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. Most types of the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) are harmless. But 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. Wash your hands, utensils and kitchen surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after preparing or eating food. Keep raw foods separate from ready-to-eat foods. Cook your food thoroughly, especially ground beef. Refrigerate or freeze perishable foods promptly. Avoid unpasteurized juices, ciders and dairy products. Don't drink untreated water from lakes or streams.