E. Coli Outbreak Update - Partial List of Spinach Brand Names Recalled

http://www.ebfarm.com/ ^ | 9/15/06 | earthbound farms

[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, Nature’s Basket, Pro-Mark, Compliments, Trader Joe’s, Ready Pac, Jansal Valley, Cheney Brothers, Coastline, D’Arrigo Brothers, Green Harvest, Mann, Mills Family Farm, Premium Fresh, Snoboy, The Farmer’s Market, Tanimura & Antle, President’s 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.

[stlnative]

Health officials have identified at least one source.

The FDA says spinach distributed by California-based Natural Selection Foods, was tainted, but other companies may still be affected.

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http://www.wkrc.com/News/Local/story.aspx?content_id=5A0BB649-50BA-45F2-A112-DE44A0E94723

Potential Source Of E. Coli Outbreak Identified

LAST UPDATE: 9/15/2006 11:11:30 PM


We have new developments in the E. coli outbreak tied to fresh spinach.

Health officials have identified at least one source.

The FDA says spinach distributed by California-based Natural Selection Foods, was tainted, but other companies may still be affected.

One person has died, and at least 100 others are sick in the outbreak in 19 states including Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

Local 12 Reporter Joelle Girone explains why E. coli infections are not uncommon.

Doctors at Children's Hospital say they see between 10 and 20 cases each year. The culprit is usually undercooked hamburger.

Some types of E. coli don't make you sick, yet others can cause kidney failure. The key is preventing it.

"I started getting really, really bad cramps and they hurt really badly," said Alaina Dressman.

Alaina Dressman, 12, says she's learned E. coli isn't something to take lightly.

"I ate a sandwich with spinach on it."

That sandwich, according to her mother, has flipped their world upside down. For nearly 10 days, the Dressman family has watched this typically active teenager double over with cramps.

"We just kind of watched her," said Donna Dressman, Alaina's mother. "She just got worse and worse. She was in the bathroom every 20 to 40 minutes for two, whole days."

Alaina's family rushed her to Children's Hospital when she started passing blood. They say it was frightening.

"The mom thing kind of kicks in and you say, nope we're going to the ER," said Donna Dressman. "I think that was a good move on our part this time."

As scary as an E. coli infection like this is, doctors say it's not uncommon.

"We've had outbreaks in Cincinnati and throughout the country virtually every summer since this was first described about 25 years ago," said Dr. Mitchell Cohen, Cincinnati Children's Hospital.

Dr. Mitchell Cohen says E. coli contamination wasn't even tracked until 1982, but Cohen says since then, you can count on a number of reported cases each year.

The typical culprits are undercooked meat, juices that are not pasteurized, and of course, fruits and vegetables that are contaminated with fecal matter.

The doctor's advice?

"Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables even if it's been pre-washed in the bag," said Dr. Cohen.

Consumers are tossing the bagged spinach right now. As for Alaina, she just wants a clean bill of health, and to get out of the hospital.

"I'm kind of looking forward to school, but I do have so much to make up," said Alaina Dressman.

Alaina was discharged from the hospital Friday.

The only way we'll ever really know if her case is connected to the outbreak, is if a large group of Tri-Staters come down with it. The health department would then do a cluster study.

Natural Selection Foods has recalled all packages of its fresh spinach and any salad with spinach in a blend because they are possibly contaminated with E. coli. The affected packages have "Best if Used by Dates" of Aug. 17 through Oct. 1. Consumers with questions can contact the company at 800-690-3200.

The recalled brands are: Bellissima, Cheney Brothers, Coastline, Compliments, Cross Valley, D'Arrigo Brothers, Dole, Earthbound Farm, Emeril, 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*Act, Pro-Mark, Rave Spinach, Ready Pac, River Ranch, Riverside Farms, Snoboy, Superior, Sysco, Tanimura & Antle, The Farmer's Market and Trader Joe's.

[RikaStrom]

Ewwww..... that's just nasty!

Yeah, I am naive. ICK! GROSS, DOUBLE GROSS.

I had totally forgot that concept. Thank you for the reminder, I will pass along to the parental units.

[drlevy88]

If cooked it should be OK

[potlatch]

Heavens no! If you go deep into Mexico you do not eat the salads or any raw vegetables or you'll get the Aztec Two-Step, Montezuma's Revenge!!

The nicer restaurants in some border towns cater to the Americans and things are safer.

[stlnative]

read the articles - in the case of this strain of e.Coli you cannot kill it by washing it off. It gets absorb into the veggies. In the case of Spinach there is no way it can be removed from Spinach and possibly other leafy veggies. The only way to kill it is to cook the veggies throughly.

Everyone should throw out any Spinach they have that comes in a bag or is with other bagged salad varieties. They also are not 100% sure that it is only the bagged Spinach or just this one company.

[kcvl]

More likely shat upon by illegal aliens.

This is gross so don't read any further if you are offended easily. That actually did happen in a chicken processing plant in Arkansas. The 'workers' **** in the boxes the chickens were supposed to be shipped in. LUCKILY they were found BEFORE the chickens were packed in them. They had to install cameras to keep them from doing it again!

They just want to become 'regular' Americans and adapt to our customs. /sarcasm

No, they want to bring their lifestyle and diseases to this country and we are supposed to shut up and take it.

[stlnative]

ANOTHER STATEMENT BY THE COMPANY...

California Spinach Company Offers Consumer Refunds
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA A statement from Samantha Cabaluna of Natural Selection Foods and Earthbound Farm on September 15, 2006:

We are aware that there are reports of some illnesses in several states and one death, possibly related to e coli in spinach. Along with others in the produce industry, we are currently working with federal and state authorities to assist them in their investigation to identify the source of the bacteria, providing them unfettered access to our facilities and product for testing and investigation. We will do whatever is necessary to help protect the health and safety of the public.

In view of this situation, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently recommending that consumers not eat bagged fresh spinach. As a result, we have temporarily stopped shipping spinach products, and have taken spinach out of our salads that contain them.

Any consumers that have Earthbound Farm brand packaged spinach in their homes who choose to follow the FDA’s recommendations at this time may contact us at 800-690-3200 for a refund or replacement coupons.

Everyone here is terribly upset about these illnesses and death and their potential relationship to a product that is ordinarily a very healthy food choice. We are committed to producing exceptionally fresh and healthy produce. Quality and food safety continue to be our top priorities.

For more information, you may view our statement on the web at www.ebfarm.com/press/foodsafe.

[Dems_R_Losers]

I'm pretty sure I had this 3 weeks ago. Woke up on a Saturday morning feeling OK, then got "the runs" (worst case I veer had, though no blood) then severe cramps, then ran a fever of 103 before going to the hospital. They did some blood tests but found nothing. It was 3 more days before I felt strong enough to go back to work.

[Socratic]

'Natural Selection Foods', eh? I guess they decided to put the name to the test.

Excellent. How I wish so-called "professional comedians" could measure up to the standards displayed on FR.

[stlnative]

Thanks Rte66

I will see if I can track down some info on this.

[lmr]

It's probably been said already, however, I think if you steam this Spinach to about 200 degrees or so, Ecoli is not a problem.

[TheLion]

Thanks....didn't understand that it was absorbed into the leaf itself.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

read the articles - in the case of this strain of e.Coli you cannot kill it by washing it off. It gets absorb into the veggies. In the case of Spinach there is no way it can be removed from Spinach and possibly other leafy veggies. The only way to kill it is to cook the veggies throughly. Everyone should throw out any Spinach they have that comes in a bag or is with other bagged salad varieties. They also are not 100% sure that it is only the bagged Spinach or just this one company.

Irresponsible. One might as well tell everybody to quit eating anything, because it might be contaminated. Uneducated and hysterical responses demean this great forum. IMHO

[lmr]

I feed raw spinach to my Cichlids. They love it. By the way, if you haven't seen African Cichlids they are the most beautiful freshwater fish in the World. I have 2 tanks of Cichlids.

[stlnative]

That falls within the time frame - All raw bagged spinach between Aug 17 and Oct 1.

I hope you are feeling better now.

[Petronski]

Walmart cheerfully refunded our money for our sack of Dole spinach.

[devolve]

Anyone stupid enough to attempt to wash or cook or nuke bagged spinach or salads after hearing all the warnings is stupid enough to die.

Use canned or frozen spinach!

Buy local or grow your own.

Want to bet you life on those "hard working" Swedish spinach pickers in California?

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I keep reading on this thread:

"Wash it and rinse it well"

"Use a dilute clorine wash"

"Cook it well"

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I was a teenage cowboy & farmer

Few Americans were

It takes an urbanite to know so much I guess

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"Organic" fertilizer can kill you

In England "organic free-range chickens" kill many people

But it does cost more

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Skip the spinach

It won't kill you if you skip the spinach

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[Rte66]

It's best to always drink bottled soda, through a straw, while in Mexico if you're not used to eating there. The water will get ya, the veggies will get ya, the ice will get ya, even soup will get ya.

Been there, done that. Make sure if you drink Coke that you open the screw-off top or pop the cap yourself.

Don't think that bottled water is really bottled water, even if the top is sealed. It isn't, always.

Beer probably works best for a lot of people, but it's not an option for me. The assumption is that there is enough alcohol in it to kill the organisms. Obviously, it's true for tequila, but you can't drink that all the time.

If worse comes to worst, remember "lomotil."

[Rte66]

Yeah, they said over 165° - which is assured if it's boiled - at least 212°.

I had packaged slaw cabbage last week but I boiled it.

[potlatch]

Skip the spinach, common sense. There's nothing you can't do without for a while.