Dangerous bacteria. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) are bacteria found in various livestock (cows, swine, etc) which can lead to dangerous food borne illness.Recent outbreaks in Europe are due to a specific type of STEC called strain 0104:h4. In the USA E. coli o157:h7 is a more common strain.Each produces a toxin (shiga) which can disrupt colon cells causing bloody diarrhea or destroy kidney cells & lead to HUS.
STEC are a group of. E. Coli that produce shiga toxin 1 or 2. They are acquired primarily from cattle or bovine products such as undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized milk or contaminated produce. Some stec strains are called enterohemorrhagic e. Coli (ehec) and they can cause hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome with kidney failure in people especially young children and the elderly.
Food poisoning. A strain of e coli that produces a toxin and causes food poisoning from contamination of raw or undercooked foods. See this site for more info. http://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2012/o145-06-12/advice-consumers.html.