Strains of Escherichia coli, a type of intestinal bacteria that is typically benign, can become hazardous when they produce Shiga toxin, leading to severe cases of food poisoning. Among the various subtypes of Escherichia coli that produce Shiga toxin, E. coli O157:H7 is the most frequently detected strain in North America, particularly associated with cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection.