E. coli Spinach Outbreak

E. coli contaminated Spinach began to sicken people in mid September 2006. Per Center for Disease Control, September 26, 2006, “183 persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported to CDC from 26 states…” The E. coli spinach outbreak has included “29 cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), 95 hospitalizations and one death.”

According to the latest FDA release, “FDA has determined that the spinach implicated in the outbreak was grown in three California counties: Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Clara. Spinach grown in the rest of the United States 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.”

Several victims reported having eaten spinach packaged by Natural Selection Foods LLC. The world’s largest organic producer, California-based Natural Selection Foods has been operating since 1984. Earthbound Farm® is one of their leading brands for packaged greens. The company voluntarily began a recall of their packaged spinach. Three victims reported having eaten packaged Dole® Baby Spinach brand. There have been five recalls to date, encompassing a wide range of brand names. For the complete list, see the FDA report above. There has been one reported case in Canada.

It is unproven whether the spinach was contaminated in the field or during processing, although investigators are looking into groundwater used for irrigation, which may have been contaminated by cattle.

Per an informative article, “E. coli Spinach Outbreak Caused by Cows?”, by Stephanie Bloyd, published in Mother Earth News, this strain of E. coli (0157:H7) is commonly found in the intestinal tracts of cattle raised on a grain diet. Cattle are raised on a grain diet, versus a natural grass diet, chiefly to speed their growth. Per the article:

“U.S. researchers have found that high-grain diets make E. coli more potent. When cattle are fattened on grain, their digestive tracts become unusually acidic and kill off most of the E. coli. But the bacteria that survive are those that have adapted themselves to an acidic environment. This is a major problem for human health because our first line of defense is the acidity of our own digestive juices. Acid-resistant feedlot bacteria can survive our gastric juices in sufficient number to make us ill. By contrast, the E. coli from grass-fed cattle remains sensitive to acid and is quickly destroyed in our stomachs.”

Quick facts:

• 74 percent of the fresh market spinach grown in the U.S. comes from California (per California Farm Bureau)

• Previous outbreaks have included lettuce and spinach.

• Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease), has never been reported in grass-fed animals.

• The present E. coli spinach contamination is most likely found in mass production, bagged spinach originating in California. Fresh spinach grown on local farms (outside of California) should be safe.

• Visit the official website of the Center for Disease Control for the latest information on all outbreaks.