Report Details Good, Bad & Deadly of E. coli

WASHINGTONNews headlines often paint E. coli as a vicious bacterium, capable of causing disease and death to those unfortunate enough to ingest it. But that is only a tiny minority of E. coli, and a very small part of the story of this remarkable bacterium; its relationship to human health and the food we eat is much more complex. Not all E. coli are bad , and some are even beneficial.

In an effort to communicate a more complete understanding of E. coli bacteria, the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM) released a colloquium report"E. coli: Good, Bad & Deadly"which tells the larger story of E. coli, its role in human health, in food and human biology.

The 16-page report is result of Sept. 1, 2011, AAM meeting between microbiologists, food-safety experts and bacteriologists tasked with developing a more accurate picture of the often-maligned bacterium. The report offers an easy-to-understand introduction of E. coli and then delves into more intricate scientific data about the bacterium.

Additional information about the hot-button issue of food safety is available in the free digital issue The Future of Food Safety," which examines top trends influencing the direction food and beverage manufacturers will be headed to ensure the safety of their products in the months and years to come.