A warning has been issued over fears bags of mixed salad could contain E.coli, after two people died from an outbreak of the bacterial disease.

In total more than 150 cases of the E.coli 0157 strain have been identified, and 62 people have ended up in hospital, Public Health England (PHE) has confirmed.

Shoppers are being urged to thoroughly wash bags of mixed salad – particularly those containing rocket leaves.

So far salad is thought to be the cause of the outbreak, but the health watchdog is continuing to investigate.

The majority of those infected were from the south of the country, with 144 cases confirmed in England, six in Wales and one in Scotland.

Dr Isabel Oliver, director of PHE’s field epidemiology service, said several of the affected people ate mixed salad leaves, including rocket, before becoming unwell.

Testing by PHE has indicated the strain is likely to have been imported, possibly from the Mediterranean area.

She said: “As an additional precautionary measure, we have advised a small number of wholesalers to cease adding some imported rocket leaves to their mixed salad products pending further investigations.”

Those infected with E.coli often suffer diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever, while more severe cases can lead to dehydration, or even kidney failure.

PHE said people should remove any loose soil before storing vegetables.

It said people should wash their hands with soap and water after using the toilet, before and after handling food, and after contact with pets and animals, including farm animals.

PHE first became aware of the possibility of an E.coli O157 outbreak in the south of England at the end of June.