Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) are considered as major pathogens causing severe and sometimes lethal  infections in humans. Although more than 200 serotypes have been reported, only seven of them have been consistently associated with severe cases. Transmission of VTEC to humans occurs mainly through consumption of undercooked minced beef contaminated by animal faeces.

Although there are no statutory criteria, meat containing one of these strains is considered as harmful to health. Thus, the surveillance plan conducted in 2015 aimed to assess, for fresh minced beef on the French market, the rate of contamination by VTEC identified as a higher risk in order to assess consumer exposure.

The results obtained confirm that the contamination rate for meat was low (0.3%; 95CI [0.01-1.9]) and similar to those obtained previously, suggesting that the risk of human exposure via the consumption of minced beef in France remains limited. The only strain isolated was an O103:H2 VTEC strain showing genetic markers of greater virulence.

The Directorate General for Food will continue to monitor VTEC contamination in beef collected on the market in 2016.