Microbes 101: E.coli

Learn about E. coli in our new video series on food safety and foodborne illnesses. While the majority of E. coli strains are not harmful, there are six pathogenic E. coli strains, which can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness and pneumonia, and other illnesses. The most common E.coli strain associated with foodborne illness are the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).