Spinach E. coli Linked To California Spinach Processor

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Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  GastroIntestinal / Gastroenterology;  Public Health
Article Date: 16 Sep 2006 - 10:00 PDT

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US government investigators have linked the latest E. coli poisoning outbreak to a spinach processor in San Juan Bautista, California, called Earthbound Farm, owned by Natural Selection Foods LLC. Infected patients have reported consuming other brands made by Natural Selection Foods.

Investigations are still ongoing to check for other sources, according to Dr. David Acheson, Chief Medical Officer, FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Natural Selection Foods is recalling all its spinach-containing products. The following products belong to Natural Selection Foods:

-- Bellissima, Dole
-- Cheney Brothers
-- Coastline
-- Cross Valley
-- D'Arrigo Brothers
-- Earthbound Farm
-- Emeril, Sysco
-- Fresh Point
-- Green Harvest
-- Jansal Valley
-- Mann
-- Mills Family Farm
-- Natural Selection Foods
-- Nature's Basket
-- O Organic
-- Premium Fresh
-- President's Choice
-- Pride of San Juan
-- Pro-Mark, Compliments
-- ProAct
-- Rave Spinach
-- Ready Pac
-- River Ranch, Superior
-- Riverside Farms
-- Snoboy
-- Tanimura & Antle
-- The Farmer's Market
-- Trader Joe's
(These products contain spinach)

Shoppers wanting a refund or replacement coupons can call 800-690-3200. The latest E. coli outbreak was first reported on August 25th. The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has issued a nationwide warning, telling people not to buy or consume the said raw spinach products. Even washing will not eliminate the bacteria (boiling will).

So far, the following states have reported human cases of E. coli poisoning (O157:H7 strain):

-- California
-- Connecticut
-- Idaho
-- Indiana
-- Kentucky
-- Maine
-- Michigan
-- Minnesota
-- New Mexico
-- Nevada
-- New York
-- Ohio
-- Oregon
-- Pennsylvania
-- Utah
-- Virginia
-- Washington
-- Wyoming
(Source: CDC - at least 94 cases so far)

The O157:H7 strain of E. coli causes diarrhea (commonly with bloody stools). Some patients can experience fever. Abdominal pain is also common. Most healthy adults make a full recovery within seven days. However, some people, such as young children and the elderly, may develop Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (a form of kidney failure).

-- Click here for news on this outbreak from the FDA

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today