Final answer:
Enterohemorrhagic and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli are commonly linked to contaminated produce, such as raw spinach and vegetable sprouts, leading to serious health issues and outbreaks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enterohemorrhagic and shiga toxic-producing E. coli, such as serotype O157:H7, are commonly linked with contaminated produce. Notable outbreaks have been associated with raw spinach in the United States and vegetable sprouts in Germany. These foodborne pathogens produce Shiga toxin that can lead to severe health issues like bloody diarrhea and kidney failure. Strain O157:H7 is particularly notorious for causing large-scale outbreaks and can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a life-threatening condition. It is essential to properly process foods to minimize the risk of contamination and prevent potential E. coli outbreaks.