Danish cucumbers do not contain the harmful E. coli bacteria believed to be triggering an outbreak of severe intestinal infections in northern Europe, Danish health authorities said Tuesday.
Tests conducted over the weekend confirmed the cucumbers contained no traces of the bacteria, Denmark's Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) said in a statement.
"There is nothing to suggest Danish cucumbers as the source of the serious E. coli outbreak that has affected many patients in Germany, Denmark and Sweden among other countries," the DVFA said.
The DVFA said it analyzed samples from two Danish producers, after German authorities suspected their vegetables of being the source of the outbreak. But the recent tests confirm they are not responsible for the contamination.
However, the DVFA advises consumers not to eat raw tomato, lettuce and cucumber from Germany, and cucumber from Spain, and continues to monitor the situation.
According to Denmark's National Serum Institute, there are 14 confirmed cases, and up to 26 suspected cases in Denmark.
