Product Liability News

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

Update:  Wednesday, September 20, 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, 146 cases of illness due to E. coli infection have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including 23 cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), 76 hospitalizations, and one death. Illnesses continue to be reported to CDC. This is considered to be an ongoing investigation.

States Affected
Arizona and Colorado have just been added to the list of states with confirmed cases.  There are now 23 affected states:  Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Laboratory Findings
The New Mexico Department of Health announced today that it has linked a sample from a package of spinach with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157. The spinach was eaten by one of New Mexico's patients before becoming sick. DNA fingerprinting tests determined that the strain from the spinach matches the strain from patients in the outbreak. The package of spinach that tested positive was "Dole Baby Spinach, Best if Used by August 30."

Consumer Advice
FDA advises consumers to not eat fresh spinach or products that contain fresh spinach until further notice. Fresh spinach includes bagged spinach, spinach in a clamshell, and loose spinach purchased from retail establishments such as supermarkets, restaurants and farmers' markets.

At this time, FDA has no evidence that frozen spinach, canned spinach and spinach included in pre-made meals manufactured by food companies are affected. These products are safe to eat.
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.

Three (3) Recalls
On September 19, 2006, RLB Food Distributors, L.P., West Caldwell, NJ, initiated a voluntary recall of certain salad products that may contain spinach with an Enjoy Thru date of 9/20/06.   See: fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/rlb09_06.html

The products recalled by RLB are:

Balducci's Mesclun Mix 5 oz.
Balducci's Organic Baby Spinach 5 oz.
Balducci's Mixed Greens 5 oz.
FreshPro Mesclun Mix 5 oz.
FreshPro Organic Baby Spinach 5 oz.
FreshPro Mixed Greens 5 oz.
FreshPro Salad Mix with Italian Dressing 4.75 oz.
FreshPro Salad Mix with Ranch Dressing 5.25 oz

Read more at FDA website

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