Fear of the killer cucumbers

Published on 27 May 2011

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Germany is living in "fear of killer germs," declares Bild, which gives its front page over to a “health warning on tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce.” Five people in northern Germany have died of suspected contamination of cucumbers from Spain by E. coli, which causes severe digestive problems. “Lettuce was supposed to be healthy, rich in vitamins and good for the figure. And so Germany is tossing salad leaves like never before,” writes the popular daily in distress. “All fear biting down on the horror germ EHEC! Plates are being swept clear of fresh vegetables!” Bildis also concerned about the fallout for German farmers, forced to dump tons of lettuce and tomatoes even though it is not yet known for sure whether the vegetables were contaminated in Spain or during transport to Germany.

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