E. coli O157, spinach - USA (multistate) (09)

International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

[1]
Source: FDA.gov [edited]
< http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01462.html>


FDA is working closely with CDC and the state of California. FDA has
determined that the spinach implicated in the outbreak was grown in 3
counties (Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara) in California.

Spinach grown in the rest of the USA has not been implicated in the
current _E. coli_ O157:H7 outbreak. The public can be confident that
spinach grown in the non-implicated areas can be consumed. Other
produce grown in these counties is not implicated in this outbreak.
Processed spinach (e.g., frozen and canned spinach) is also not
implicated in this outbreak.

Industry is working to get spinach from areas not implicated in the
current _E. coli_ O157:H7 outbreak back on the market.

Investigators from FDA, CDC and the state of California are working
to narrow the area implicated in the current _E. coli_ O157:H7
outbreak further.

Case Reports:
To date, 166 cases of illness due to _E. coli_ infection have been
reported to the CDC, including 27 cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
(HUS), 88 hospitalizations and 1 death. Illnesses continue to be
reported to CDC. This is considered to be an ongoing investigation.

States Affected:
The 25 affected states (newly listed are Maryland and Tennessee) are:
Arizona (4), California (1), Colorado (1), Connecticut (3) Idaho (4),
Illinois (1), Indiana (8), Kentucky (8), Maine (3), Maryland (3),
Michigan (4), Minnesota (2), Nebraska (8), Nevada (1), New Mexico
(5), New York (11), Ohio (20), Oregon (5), Pennsylvania (8),
Tennessee (1), Utah (17), Virginia (2), Washington (3), Wisconsin
(2), and Wyoming (1).

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[2]
Source: King5.com [edited]
< http://www.king5.com/business/stories/NW_092306HEBspiniachEL.c0d277d.html>


A Seattle company, ST Produce, has become another company in the USA
to recall salad products that may have included spinach implicated in
an _E. coli_ [O157:H7] outbreak. ST Produce says its salads were
distributed to stores and delis in Washington State, Oregon, Idaho,
and Montana. The recall involves products with a 'use by' date of 22
Aug through 20 Sep 2006.

The products and brands are:
-- NWG Spinach Salad (5 oz); NWG Tabouli & Goat Cheese Salad (10 oz);
-- Spinach Salad, QFC (5 oz); Tabouli & Goat Cheese Salad, QFC (10 oz);
-- Charlie's Spinach Salad (5 oz); Charlie's Tabouli & Goat Cheese
Salad (10 oz); Larry's Market Tabouli & Goat Cheese Salad (10 oz);
Charlie's Seasonal Greens Salad (2.5 oz); Charlie's Seasonal Greens
Salad (4 oz); Charlie's Baby Spinach Salad (6 oz); Charlie's Baby
Spinach Salad (5 oz).
-- T/H Spring Mix Salad (5.5 oz); T/H Mozzarella Spring Mix Salad
(5.5 oz); T/H Baby Spinach Salad (5.5 oz).
-- Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad w/ Grilled Chicken Breast (6.5 oz);
Caesar Bowtie Noodle Salad Kit with Grilled Chicken Breast ( 6.9 lbs).

ST Produce is a subsidiary of Triple B Corporation, which also owns Charlie's.

******
[3]
Source: PRNewsWire.com [edited]
< http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/09-23-
2006/0004438343&EDATE=>


Less than 24 hours after the FDA said it is safe to eat spinach grown
outside of California's Salinas Valley, the Savoy spinach industry is
working to make sure wholesalers, retailers and consumers know its
product is grown in the near west, southeast and northeast USA. Savoy
spinach, also known as curly leaf spinach, is used by restaurants
throughout the USA, but many consumers are not aware of the
alternative to flat leaf spinach.

In addition to being grown outside of California, Savoy spinach is
also handled differently than the flat leaf spinach that was found to
contain _E. coli_ [O157:H7], spurring the ban on all spinach sales
late last week. Once harvested, Savoy spinach is placed in highly
sophisticated, ice-packed, sanitized containers designed specifically
to handle Savoy spinach as it is sent to re-packers in the produce
industry.