The Ministry of Health has published on its website the “Guidelines for the control of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in unpasteurised milk and derived products“, drawn up by the Technical Committee established at the Ministry. It has also made available the FAQs addressed to citizens and operators in the sector, to answer the most frequent questions about the consumption of raw milk and, more generally, about the risks for the most vulnerable groups and the correct prevention measures.
The Guidelines provide operational guidance for:
- food business operators, as part of their self-monitoring activities;
- local health authorities, for surveillance and official control activities;
- all those involved in the production and marketing of raw milk and dairy products, in order to strengthen risk management.
STEC infections can manifest with clinical pictures of varying severity, from mild or asymptomatic forms to haemorrhagic diarrhoea and, in the most severe cases, haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), the main cause of acute renal failure in children.
