Escherichia coli (abbreviated as E. coli) are a large and diverse group of bacteria. Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. E. coli O157:H7 is a kind of E. coli that can cause disease by making a toxin called Shiga toxin. Often when you hear news reports about outbreaks of E. coli infections, they are talking about E. coli O157:H7.

• Questions on Safe Food Handling ("Ask USDA")
• Food Safety Fact Sheets
• E. coli recalls and news releases: All recall information, including reports of recalls for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination, is available in the FSIS Recalls section.
• Questions and Answers on E. coli from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Directives & Notices

• Microbiological Testing Program for Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Directive 10,010.1 & Attachments
• Laboratory Services - 10,000 Series Directives
• More Regulations, Directives & Notices

Data Collection & Reports

• Microbiological Testing Program to Detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 (Raw Ground Beef and Components)

Compliance Guidance

• Compliance Guides, Escherichia coli
• askFSIS an Inspection-Related Question

Other Food Science Links

• National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF)
• Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook
• Risk Assessments
• FDA's "Bad Bug Book"