According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 109 cases of E. coli infection have been reported, of which 16 were of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) – a form of kidney failure. One person has died. The CDC says infections continue to be reported. The present E. coli strain is E. coli O157:H7.

So far, the following states have reported cases:

— California
— Connecticut
— Idaho
— Indiana
— Kentucky
— Maine
— Michigan
— Minnesota
— Nevada
— New Mexico
— New York
— Ohio
— Oregon
— Pennsylvania
— Utah, Virginia
— Washington
— Wisconsin
— Wyoming

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises people not to eat fresh spinach or products which may contain fresh spinach. If you think you may have symptoms of E. coli poisoning after eating fresh spinach or products with fresh spinach in them you should seek medical advice, says the FDA.

Symptoms include:

— diarrhea, often with bloody stools
— can include abdominal pain
— fever (sometimes)

Most healthy adults will usually make a full recovery within about seven days. However, one of the complications, HUS, a type of kidney failure, can lead to serious kidney damage and death. Children and elderly people are the most vulnerable.

River Ranch of California, which received bulk spring mix containing spinach from Natural Selections, is recalling packages of spring mix containing spinach. The following brands include spring mix containing spinach:

— Farmers Market
— Hy Vee
— Fresh and Easy.
(The company stresses that its products which do not contain spinach are not being recalled.)

Natural Selection Foods, LLC, San Juan Bautista, California, is recalling all products containing spinach. Consumers are warned to look out for the following ‘best if used by dates’:

— All dates between August 17 2006 – October 1, 2006.

The following brands of Natural Selection Foods are included in the recall:

— Natural Selection Foods
— Pride of San Juan
— River Ranch
— Superior
— Earthbound Farm
— Bellissima
— Dole
— Ready Pac
— Jansal Valley
— Rave Spinach
— Emeril
— Sysco
— Cheney Brothers
— President’s Choice
— Cross Valley
— Coastline
— O Organic
— Fresh Point
— D’Arrigo Brothers
— Green Harvest
— Mann
— Snoboy
— The Farmer’s Market
— Mills Family Farm
— Premium Fresh
— Nature’s Basket
— Pro-Mark
— Tanimura & Antle
— Compliments
— Trader Joe’s
— Riverside Farms
These products are not only sold in the USA, but also in Canada and Mexico.

More information on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today