FDA Statement on Spinach

[Guest guest]

[unless you live on Mars, I'm sure you have heard this news. Below

is the FDA statement on the risk of E. Coli and spinach leaves.

Also note that the potential danger exists at restaurants, delis,

supermarkets who offer pre-packaged salads, as well as the bags of

spinach.

Avoid all raw spinach, baby spinach leaves, and the like until the

danger is passed.

Note that the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are

at particular risk.

I've decided to seriously consider not buying any pre-packaged

salads. The danger is significant.]

FDA Statement on Foodborne E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak in Spinach

Update: Sunday, September 17, 2006

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will continue to provide

the public with regular updates on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak each

day until further notice.

Case Reports

To date, 109 cases of illness due to E. coli infection have been

reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

including 16 cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) and one death.

Illnesses continue to be reported to CDC. This is considered to be an

ongoing investigation.

Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 Illness

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 HUS. HUS is most likely

to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to

serious kidney damage and even death.

States Affected

There are 19 confirmed states: California, Connecticut, Idaho,

Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico,

New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington,

Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Consumer Advice

FDA advises consumers to not eat fresh spinach or fresh spinach-

containing products until further notice.

If individuals believe they may have experienced symptoms of illness

after consuming fresh spinach or fresh spinach-containing products,

FDA recommends that they seek medical advice.

Two (2) Recalls

FDA has been informed that River Ranch, of California, is recalling

packages of spring mix containing spinach. River Ranch obtained bulk

spring mix containing spinach from Natural Selections. The following

brands are involved: Farmers Market, Hy Vee, Fresh and Easy.

Products that do not contain spinach are not part of this recall.

Natural Selection Foods, LLC, of San Bautista, California, is

recalling all of its products containing spinach in all brands they

pack with " Best if Used by Dates " of August 17, 2006 through October

1, 2006. These products include spinach and any salad with spinach in

a blend, both retail and food service products. Products that do not

contain spinach are not part of this recall.

Natural Selection Foods, LLC brands include: Natural Selection Foods,

Pride of San , Earthbound Farm, Bellissima, Dole, 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, and

Riverside Farms.

The affected products were also distributed to Canada and Mexico. FDA

continues to investigate whether other companies and brands are

involved.

Lettuce Safety Initiative

The FDA developed the Lettuce Safety Initiative

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/lettsafe.html in response to recurring

outbreaks of E.coli O157:H7 in lettuce. As a result of this outbreak,

the initiative has been expanded to cover spinach. The primary goals

of the initiative are to reduce public health risks by focusing on

the product, agents and areas of greatest concern and to alert

consumers early and respond rapidly in the event of an outbreak. This

initiative is based on the 2004 Produce Safety Action Plan, intended

to minimize the incidence of food borne illness associated with the

consumption of fresh produce.

FDA continues to work closely with the CDC and state and local

agencies to determine the cause and scope of the E.coli outbreak in

spinach. Please check www.fda.gov for updates.