Posted on 09/15/2006 7:40:56 PM PDT by stlnative
FDA Investigation; Packaged Fresh Spinach Recall
A statement from Natural Selection Foods, LLC.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA; CALIF; September 15, 2006: We are aware of reports of illnesses in multiple states nationwide including one death, possibly related to e coli contamination in fresh spinach. We have been working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the California Department of Health Services (CDHS) to try to understand the scope and locate the source of any contamination.
In an effort to minimize risk and afford the maximum possible protection to consumers, the FDA and CDHS have recommended that fresh spinach that is currently in the market be recalled. We have decided to voluntarily recall all of the products which contain spinach in all the brands we pack with Best if Used by Dates of August 17th through October 1st. Brands include: Dole, Natural Selection Foods, Pride of San Juan, Earthbound Farm, Bellissima, Rave Spinach, Emeril, Sysco, O Organic, Fresh Point, River Ranch, Superior, Natures Basket, Pro-Mark, Compliments, Trader Joes, Ready Pac, Jansal Valley, Cheney Brothers, Coastline, DArrigo Brothers, Green Harvest, Mann, Mills Family Farm, Premium Fresh, Snoboy, The Farmers Market, Tanimura & Antle, Presidents Choice, Cross Valley, Riverside Farms. Products include spinach and any salad with spinach in a blend, both retail and foodservice products. Products that do not contain spinach are not part of this recall. We are working with the FDA and CDHS to offer consumers the greatest possible protection with the limited information available.
Products were distributed within the United States nationwide, Canada and Mexico. No illnesses have been reported to date outside of the U.S.
E. coli O157:H7 causes diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death. If consumers are experiencing any of these symptoms, contact should be made with their local health provider.
The health and safety of those who consume our products is our top priority today and every day. We remain absolutely committed to providing a safe, nutritious product to all of our customers and we will continue to work with the FDA and CDHS on their ongoing investigation. Consumers requesting additional information may contact Natural Selection Foods at 888-736-2840.
Consumers with any of the products described above should dispose of the products.
Arrgh!!!...Wish I was able to post a picture from an email I recently received. It's a picture of bagged lettuce with a live young frog in it. The explanation was that it was possible that the lettuce was washed in water that contained tadpoles, and one matured.
Yep. It's the first thing they do. Rule out terrorism.
If that happened, it would never be reported by the MSM.
Is laughing good for me right now, heh??
GOOD one!
I noticed you didn't look well this morning and I wondered if...
I've started (since a couple of years ago) washing all my fresh vegetables (if I'm not going to cook them) in antibacterial detergent (and then rinsing them really thoroughly). Just in case.
see post 23
I had dinner with my folks today and we all ordered a spinach salad. The waiter came back to us and said the chef wasn't doing the salad due to the e-col, and to make another selection.
They are treating this as a major issue in Houston. No issues on our end, and we appreciate the Chef's dilligence, but man, I miss my spinach salad.
How do we get e-colie in a fresh vegetable?
LOL, ole'...
Nah, that's normal for me in the mornings....thanks to my FR addiction which keeps me awake half the night :P
http://wusatv9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=52149
E-Coli Outbreak Linked to California Farm
Written By Nancy Yamada
9NEWS NOW
Created:9/15/2006 10:25:04 PM
Last Updated:9/15/2006 11:02:43 PM
An E-coli outbreak that has the FDA advising consumers to avoid bagged, fresh spinach has been traced to Natural Selection Foods, a California company that is now voluntarily recalling it's products containing spinach.
Their products are sold under the brand names Rave Spinach, Natural Selection Foods, Dole, Earthbound Farm, Trader Joe's, Ready Pac and Green Harvest.
Supermarkets across the country began pulling bagged spinach from their shelves after health departments in 20 states including Virginia received reports of illness. (They include California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports there is one lab-confirmed case of e-coli in Virginia but won't reveal where or how the person was infected. The Virginia Health Department is advising residents to take appropriate steps to protect themselves, such as:
Don't eat raw, bagged spinach until the FDA lifts it's warning.
Always wash raw fruits or vegetables under running water before eating.
Always wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after preparing foods, after using the toilet, handling animals or changing diapers.
Wash cutting boards after meats have been on them and before using the same surface to cut fruits and vegetables, or use separate cutting boards and utensils for means and other foods.
Federal Health officials warn even washing the spinach will not decrease your risk because this strain of e-coli is too tough and too embedded to wash off the leaves. People who get sick from E-coli usually do so within three to four days after eating contaminated foods. When ingested, the bug can cause diarrhea, bloody stools, even kidney failure and death.
Other bagged vegetables, including prepackaged salads are not affected by this e-coli outbreak.
I know it's horrible and all, but I keep getting this image in my head of Popeye opening the can...
"Da-da-da-da-da da-da-da-da-da... PLOP!"
Would it make sense to soak them in a water solution with a tad of bleach and then rinse them?
"Organic"
"Natural"
"No artificial fertilizers or chemicals"
"Fresh" does not mean safer than canned
-
- They are not sacred
- Mexican vegetables are often irrigated with raw human sewage
- Parathion is not banned in Mexico
There was a TV news story just now that I missed the gist of because I had the sound muted and now I can't find a story to link about it.
A man named Singh (first name was something like Lovander or Movander) has been arrested with an 18-wheeler truck full of bagged spinach (you know how long the trailer is on one of those trucks? It was filled to within 4-5 feet of its length) that he said he was taking to be destroyed.
Evidently, that wasn't true, but I don't know what was really said - if it's stolen and he was going to re-sell it or use it for food for people. The trucking company was out of Fresno, CA and the name was pronounced "Trieste (tree-esst)" but I don't know the spelling.
Local TV reporter could not find them to inquire. Authorities said the load will be disposed of properly by hazmat and the man faces 2 years in jail.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.