For the latest information about the E. coli outbreak, visit Odwalla's new site . This latest outbreak , traced to California apples, is small compared to other episodes. In Japan this past summer, more than 9,500 people were made sick by a similar strain. E. coli-infected apple juice was never considered a real possibility until a 1991 outbreak was traced to cider pressed in Massachusetts. E. coli infection occurs in two primary ways.
Bacteria can leak from animals' intestines into the meat used for human consumption.
Another way infections can occur is from completely uncooked foods, such as unpasteurized apple cider. Illness from E. coli has also been traced to deli roast-beef, salami, raw milk, lake water, mayonnaise, cantaloupes, and leaf crops like lettuce. Infection often causes bloody diarrhea and stomach cramps, anywhere from several hours to several days after ingestion. There may be a slight fever and possibly vomiting. About 2 to 7 percent of infections lead to this complication, which can be fatal.