The outbreak of cases of E.coli associated with packaged Spinach that was processed in three counties of southern California, USA, has definitely been “in the news”.
Below are some direct links to information from the United States
government Health centers on the outbreak.
Basic advice—do not eat packaged Spinach, or any combination of leafy green vegetables that include Spinach.
So far, only Spinach is affected. (However, see the information from FDA below on the Lettuce Safety Initiative
that has been enacted for Fall 2006 in order to assure that the Lettuce supply is safe. Leafy vegetables are most often
affected.)
The source of the problem has been identified, and all packages of Spinach related to this company and the secondary
companies and California processing plants have been
removed from the grocery stores and recalled.
FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES FOR INFORMATION
THAT IS CURRENT
CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL, USA
DAILY UPDATES ON THE CURRENT
SITUATION OF E-COLI OUTBREAK IN THE UNITED STATES DUE TO INFECTED PACKAGED SPINACH
http://www.cdc.gov/foodborne/ecolispinach/
Updated daily by the Center
for Disease Control in the United States, which is an agency of the United States government.
ADVICE TO CONSUMERS REGARDING
SPINACH IN THE UNITED STATES
http://www.cdc.gov/foodborne/ecolispinach/consumeradvice.htm
Cook spinach to 160 degrees
(boiling point is over 200 degrees) before eating. This should kill any E.coli.
DAILY UPDATED MAP OF THE
UNITED STATES RECORDING NUMBER OF CASES REPORTED BY STATE
http://www.cdc.gov/foodborne/ecolispinach/case_count_us_map.htm
Interestingly, California, the source of the outbreak has only one case listed. Hardest hit are Ohio, New York,
Utah, Wisconsin and some
others.
Basic Information on E-Coli
from the U.S.A. Center
for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm
Generally associated with
undercooked meat, can also affect leafy vegetables, etc. Washing vegetables is
not entirely effective to kill E.coli.
Other methods of transmission
are included in this information sheet.
Wash your hands after using
the bathroom.
Early warning signs—blood
in stool.
Antibiodics do not affect.
Extreme cases go into a kidney
failure requiring transfusions and dialysis.
PDF Flyer about the Outbreak
of Spinach E.coli
http://www.cdc.gov/foodborne/ecolispinach/pdf/factsheet_ecoli_spinach.pdf
Basic cautions and warnings
FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION, USA