Final answer:
E. coli O157:H7 can contaminate non-meat products through contaminated water, cross-contamination, and the use of fertilizers made from animal manure.
Step-by-step explanation:
E. coli O157:H7 can contaminate non-meat products through various routes. One common way is through the use of contaminated water during irrigation or processing of fruits and vegetables. Another way is through cross-contamination, where the bacteria from raw meat or animal waste come into contact with non-meat products during food preparation or storage.
For example, if a cutting board is used for cutting raw meat and then used to prepare fruits or vegetables without being properly cleaned, the E. coli bacteria can be transferred. Additionally, E. coli can also be present in fertilizers made from animal manure, which can contaminate the soil and subsequently the non-meat products grown in it.