‘More E coli cases in UK likely’ amid environmental health staff shortage

There have been 113 cases of E coli across the UK since 25 May. Photograph: Janice Carr/AP

Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, such as E coli, will increase in the UK unless urgent action is taken to tackle severe shortages of environmental health officers, a body representing the profession has said.

The warning comes after more than 100 E coli cases were reported in a fortnight, having spread via food distributed across Britain.