FDA E. coli Alert Multiple States: Fresh Spinach

[Suzie]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P06-131
September 14, 2006
Media Inquiries:
301-827-6242
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA


FDA Warning on Serious Foodborne E.coli O157:H7 Outbreak
One Death and Multiple Hospitalizations in Several States
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing an alert to consumers about an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in multiple states that may be associated with the consumption of produce. To date, preliminary epidemiological evidence suggests that bagged fresh spinach may be a possible cause of this outbreak.

Based on the current information, FDA advises that consumers not eat bagged fresh spinach at this time. Individuals who believe they may have experienced symptoms of illness after consuming bagged spinach are urged to contact their health care provider.

“Given the severity of this illness and the seriousness of the outbreak, FDA believes that a warning to consumers is needed. We are working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local agencies to determine the cause and scope of the problem,” said Dr. Robert Brackett, Director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN).

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 and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death. To date, 50 cases of illness have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including 8 cases of HUS and one death.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing and states that have reported illnesses to date include: Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin.

FDA will keep consumers informed of the investigation as more information becomes available.

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[HomeschoolrsRUs]

Hmmm, our Bible Study was cancelled this past Tuesday because our Bible Leader got a stomach "thing" -- wonder if this could have been the cause, :sad:

[Suzie]

I have a bag in my fridge right now. Guess I shouldn't take my chances.

<nyt_headline version="1.0" type=" "> F.D.A. Warns of Outbreak in Bag Spinach </nyt_headline>

<nyt_byline version="1.0" type=" "> </nyt_byline>By GARDINER HARRIS (http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/h/gardiner_harris/index.html?inline=nyt-per)
<nyt_text> </nyt_text> WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 — Consumers should avoid eating fresh bagged spinach after an outbreak of E. coli in eight states killed one person and sickened at least 49, federal health officials announced Thursday night.
The outbreak involves a virulent strain of E. coli known as 0157:H7, which produces a toxin that can lead to bloody diarrhea, kidney failure and, in rare cases, death.
State and federal health officials have used genetic screening tools to confirm that all 50 people sickened by the disease suffered from the same bacteria, said Dr. David Acheson of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at the F.D.A.
But health officials still have no idea which food manufacturer may be to blame. The first case was reported on Aug. 23 and the most recent on Sept. 3, Dr. Acheson said.
MORE HERE (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/15/us/15spinach.html?_r=1&oref=login&ref=us&pagewanted=print)

[Wolfcounsel]

"I have a bag in my fridge right now. Guess I shouldn't take my chances." --Suzie

Don't use it even for compost-making.

[Suzie]

A wise woman on my forum suggested I return it to the store since it is unopened. I think I will do that. Thanks Wolfie, I guess it could breed it's nasty in the compost too, I had not thought of that.

[Incident_command]

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/ADVG/90~Popeye-Posters.jpg

I'll take me chances!

[Suzie]

He only eats canned so he is safe. :lol:

[Incident_command]

True

[Riverboat]

Canned spinach is why I hated it most of my life. It's like eating sludge out of a gooseneck.

[TechnoPrincess]

I think I'll stay with romaine for a while...the un-bagged variety that I can clean myself :)

[DoctorDoom]

Vegetables are for herbivores. Gimme vegetation that's processed through beef cattle.

[Maggie_T]

Maine is one of those states where bagged spinach is a no-no. Veggan libs are running helter-skelter, like chickens with their head off. :)

[Lazarus]

Now I'd pay a dollar to see that...:rotflmbo:

[Republican_Legion]

Maine is one of those states where bagged spinach is a no-no. Veggan libs are running helter-skelter, like chickens with their head off. :)

Speaking of Veggan Libs: Heres a Pizza menu from a Liberal Pizza place.
http://zpizza.com/images/menu/berk.jpg BERKELEY SOY CHEESE VEGGIE
Pesto, soy cheese, veggie burger crumbles, zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, red onions, bell peppers

They use PURE ORGANIC everything.
http://zpizza.com

It was founded in one of the only 'Liberal' citys in Orange County.
Laguna Beach = 4 million dollar homes and Uber Liberals.

[Peachdiane]

I just ate some BBQ pork. I just don't eat rabbit food. It's not kind to my system.

Pesto, soy cheese, veggie burger crumbles, zucchini, tomatoes, mushrooms, red onions, bell peppers

I'd rather chew cardboard. For that matter I don't get the veggie subs at Subway. If I'm going to Subway I want meat and lots of it.

[Republican_Legion]

For that matter I don't get the veggie subs at Subway. If I'm going to Subway I want meat and lots of it.

Same here. I like getting the Italian BMT. At Quiznos I sometimes get the Italian Classic or their Angus Steak sandwich. At arbys I get the roastbeef stuff. For Lunch I am gonna have microwavable philly cheese steak sandwiches..mmm.

[Suzie]

Mine was going to be with some tenderloins tonight. Now it's green beans.

I like the meatball sub, lots of cheese.

[Lubbock]

The FDA seems to be blaming this E. coli outbreak on waste from cattle polluting groundwater and seeping into the fields.

I question that.

It is a well known fact that human waste from the wetbacks who pick vegetables/fruits is much more likely to be the cause of an outbreak.

Portapotties are supposed to be provided for the pickers, but many farmers do not provide them because of the cost, thus the pickers use the fields as toilets.

This same thing happened to a much lesser degree a few years back with strawberrys that had come out of the fields in California, and the outbreak was attributed to the pickers using the fields for toilets; that's when the information came to light regarding human waste.

I suspect the FDA and the CDC is using "cattle" as a scapegoat here in an effort to be politically correct.

When the strawberry story hit the news, I stopped buying almost anything "fresh" that comes out of the ground for a long time. I don't even feel all that safe with frozen.

This outbreak is so widespread that I suppose it could actually be cattle, but still, I question it.

[Suzie]

Tainted spinach traced to California (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060915/ap_on_he_me/tainted_spinach)

AP - 2 hours, 54 minutes ago WASHINGTON - A California natural foods company was linked Friday to a nationwide bacterial outbreak that has killed one person and sickened nearly 100 others.

[DoctorDoom]

A California natural foods company ...Well, bacteria are natural, n'est-ce pas?

[Riverboat]

Whew! That was a natural solution on my part - avoid NATURAL food. Eat REAL food!

[Suzie]

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 August 17 through October 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-Mark
• Rave Spinach
• Ready Pac
• River Ranch
• Riverside Farms
• Snoboy
• Superior
• Sysco
• Tanimura & Antle
• The Farmer's Market
• Trader Joe's

Source: Natural Selection Foods LLC

[DeclinetoState]

Vegetables are for herbivores. Gimme vegetation that's processed through beef cattle.
Like a meadow muffin?

http://www.talkingtree.com/gallery/spain/Llanos_del_Hospital/Spain_Summer_2005_3230.jpg

[Riverboat]

What's for dinner at Al's house, I wonder?

[Suzie]

Hey now, some of my favorite foods used to be vegetarians. :cow:

[Kathy30]

There's a lot of misinformation spread by a media in panic.

The contamination is not only coming from the fields. It is coming from the packing company that packs for several different brands including organic brands that would not be grown in the same fields as non organic. Sure those packing companies employ illegals who don't wash their hands after using the toilet. That's what happened with the Jack in the Box e-coli outbreak and the e-coli outbreak from the restaurant in Philadelphia. Don't fall for this cattle poop nonsense. Cattle poop is vegetable cowpies. Human feces is deadly.

Incidentally, all growers are supposed to provide portapotties and they all do. The workers won't use them. The workers get paid by the basket picked. They won't take the time to leave the row and use a potty. It's money right out of their pockets.

By the way as of this morning ALL spinach even that not bagged is not safe. Stores are unbagging bagged spinach and putting it with the unbagged spinach.