The Colombian government ordered the rigorous inspection of produce entering the country especially from Europe where the E. coli bacteria has reportedly killed 27 people reported newspaper El Espectador Friday.
Authorities from the Ministry of Social Protection said the precautions came after a recommendation from the World Health Organization warning countries about the risk of the E. coli bacteria spreading.
The warning reportedly did not suggest the restriction of passengers or goods from the country of outbreak from entering other countries, but did recommend that countries intensify their inspections and vigilance at ports of entry for products from the affected areas.
At the end of May, Colombia’s Vice President of Society and Agriculture Alejandro Velez announced that there was no risk from the E. coli contaminated cucumbers -that had killed 15 people at that time- because of inspection measures taken by the Colombian government.