Dutch scientists have claimed they have discovered a natural substance that can limit the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria, including E. coli.

Scientists at research organisation TNO announced on Thursday (9 June) that the substance has been tested on the ESBL bacteria, but would also be applicable to the EHEC bacterium, which caused the recent outbreak in Germany that killed some 35 people and made over 2,000 more ill.

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TNO nutrition director Dr Jan Pieter van der Lugt said it will take around two years before it would become available for farmers to use in animal feed.

“This breakthrough is important for public health in the future,” said Van der Lugt. “There are still many bacteria lurking here that can mutate into dangerous sisters of the EHEC bacterium. For example, 94% of the chicken in the supermarket infected with ESBL bacteria that also have become resistant to antibiotics.”

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