Cook and Eat Food That Has Been Appropriately Prepared Thoroughly cooking meat, especially ground beef, can destroy E. coli bacteria. Ground beef should be cooked until it is no longer pink and juices run clear.

How do vegetables get rid of E. coli?

Washing will help remove bacteria, including E. coli, from the surface of fruit and vegetables. Most of the bacteria will be in the soil attached to the produce. Washing to remove any soil is, therefore, particularly important.

How does E. coli get killed?

E. coli is naturally found in the gut of humans and animals. The bacteria is usually killed by cooking but ground or tenderized meat poses a greater risk because the pathogens are distributed throughout.