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Shortened LinkAre bean sprouts in the clear? The simple answer is no, even though the early test results have come back negative.

The most compelling evidence so far has not come from the microbiology lab, but traditional detective work. Officials were able to link the main outbreaks with bean sprouts from one farm in northern Germany.

They will wait for test results from the remaining 17 samples for final confirmation. However, the prospect remains that no trace of E. coli will ever be found, since any contaminated produce would have been farmed and on the shelves weeks ago.