In spring 2011, a plant touted since ancient times for its medicinal properties was implicated in outbreaks of food poisoning that sickened more than 4,000 Europeans and killed 49 people. After investigating, the European Union determined that the probable culprit was a cargo of 33,000 lbs. of Egyptian fenugreek seeds contaminated by a virulent strain of E. coli and carried by ship to Germany in November 2009. As a precautionary measure, the EU banned all seed and bean imports from Egypt until Oct. 31, 2011, also ordering member countries to destroy any Egyptian-origin fenugreek seeds meant for sprouting.
A Matter of Taste
Fenugreek is an important flavoring in Indian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and African cuisines, usually used in combination with other herbs and spices. Different recipes and culinary traditions may call for whole or ground seeds, fresh or dried leaves or young leaves and tender sprouts. Extracts made from the seeds of this bitter herb are also used to create certain artificial flavors, such as caramel, vanilla, butterscotch and maple. According to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine," one side effect of overindulgence in fenugreek is that it may cause sweat and urine to smell like maple syrup.
Vectors of Contamination
One distributor in northern Germany bought the entire cargo of Egyptian fenugreek seeds believed to be responsible for the outbreak of food poisoning. The bulk stayed in Germany; the remainder was resold to 70 companies in 11 European countries. According to "Food Safety News," a French distributor marketed seeds to 200 garden centers there. Figures for the number and nationality of infections vary, but the World Health Organization confirmed 4,050 cases in 14 European countries, the United States and Canada. More than 3,900 of the infections and all but two of the 49 fatalities occurred in Germany.
Origins of Pathogen
E. coli comes from human or animal fecal matter, and although Egypt denied responsibility for the poisonings and European authorities found no proof, they concluded that contamination had occurred before the seeds reached Germany. Commenting on this outbreak, Ben Miller of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture said that a seed planted in tainted soil becomes "an ideal space for the pathogen to settle in for long periods of time." A contaminated fenugreek seed will remain infectious throughout its entire shelf life, up to five years, and when planted, send up a contaminated sprout capable of spreading the pathogen throughout an entire batch of sprouts. E. coli is neutralized by heat, so ground fenugreek for use in cooking poses no danger.
Health Benefits and Risks
In the amounts used to season food, fenugreek is considered to be both safe and beneficial to health. The health effects of higher doses such as those contained in dietary supplements have not been well-researched, but the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine advises caution. "A few small studies" have concluded that the herb may help reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics, but scientific evidence for its use in treating other conditions is lacking. Anyone considering fenugreek for therapeutic purposes should speak to a qualified health-care provider first.
References
- "Food Safety News"; One Egyptian Seed Shipment: Two Outbreaks; Ross Anderson; July 6, 2011
- Boston.com; Seeds Blamed for Europe E. coli Still on Sale; Maria Cheng; July 5, 2011
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine; Herbs at a Glance; Fenugreek
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine"; Fenugreek; Judith Turner and Rebecca Frey; 2005
- "The Independent"; EU Bans E. coli-Linked Egyptian Fenugreek; July 6, 2011
- Health Protection Scotland; E. coli 0104 Outbreaks, Germany and France; July 8, 2011
