Food-Borne Bacteria Can Be Deadly for Some
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Federal officials yesterday announced more recalls of bagged spinach potentially tainted with E. coli bacteria, as the number of people sickened by the products rose to at least 114. People have gotten sick in 21 states; 16 people have suffered kidney damage and one has died. An additional case in Illinois may be related. Recalls extend to 37 brands, including all that are supplied by California grower Natural Selection Foods. (See full list of brands below.)
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to investigate the outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers the following advice and information.
What is E. coli O157:H7, and how serious is the illness it causes?
E. coli O157:H7 is a bacterium that causes diarrhea that is often bloody; the diarrhea can be accompanied by abdominal cramps. Fever may be absent or mild.
Symptoms usually occur within three days of exposure, but may occur as soon as one day after exposure or up to one week after.
Healthy adults can typically recover completely from exposure within a week. But some people, especially young children and the elderly, can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.
What does FDA advise?
The FDA advises people not to eat any fresh spinach or salad blends containing fresh spinach that are consumed raw.
What if I've eaten one of these products in the past few weeks?
If you think you've gotten sick after eating fresh spinach or salad blends containing fresh spinach, contact your health care provider.
Where have illnesses occurred?
So far, most cases have occurred in Wisconsin. Other states where cases have occurred are California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming. Some product was also distributed to Canada and Mexico. The number of illnesses and states involved may grow.
What company and brands are included in the current recall?
Natural Selection Foods of San Juan Bautista, Calif., is recalling all products containing fresh spinach in all brands they pack with "best if used by" dates of Aug. 17 through Oct. 1. Products include fresh spinach and salad blends containing fresh spinach.
Does the FDA's advice apply to both organic and non-organic products?
Yes.
What brands are involved?
Brands include: Natural Selection Foods, Dole, Trader Joe's, Pride of San Juan, Earthbound Farm, Bellissima, Rave Spinach, Emeril, Sysco, O Organic, Fresh Point, River Ranch, Superior, Nature's Basket, Compliments, Ready Pac, Jansal Valley, Cheney Brothers, Coastline, D'Arrigo Brothers, Green Harvest, Mann, Mills Family Farm, Premium Fresh, Pro-Mark, Snoboy, The Farmer's Market, Tanimura & Antle, President's Choice, Cross Valley and Riverside Farms.
Another California company, River Ranch Fresh Foods, is recalling its spring mix containing spinach. River Ranch obtained bulk spring mix containing spinach from Natural Selections. Brands involved: Farmers Market, Hy Vee, Fresh and Easy.
When was the first case of illness related to this outbreak?
The first case was reported on Aug. 2, although most illnesses so far cluster with onsets from Aug. 26 to Sept. 9.
What's being done to determine the cause?
Federal and state governments are working to analyze samples from ill people and product samples in an attempt to identify sources of the outbreak. The states are collecting and analyzing samples.
Have there been similar outbreaks before?
Since 1995, there have been 19 outbreaks of food-borne illness caused by E. coli O157:H7. All have involved lettuce or leafy greens. The majority of the outbreaks were traced to products farmed in California, many in the Salinas Valley.
Did any previous outbreaks involve fresh spinach specifically?
Yes. An outbreak involving fresh spinach occurred in California in October 2003. Sixteen cases of illness were reported and two people died. The same strain of E. coli was involved.
Can people cook the fresh spinach or salad blends containing fresh spinach?
The FDA recommends that people not consume uncooked spinach or salad blends containing fresh spinach. But E. coli O157:H7 in spinach can be killed by cooking at 160 degrees for 15 seconds. If consumers choose to cook the spinach, they should follow these cooking instructions. They should also take steps to avoid cross-contamination of the fresh spinach with other foods and contact surfaces. Wash hands, utensils and preparation surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling the spinach. ยท
For more information and updates, visithttp://www.cdc.govandhttp://www.fda.gov.
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