June 4, 2023

Can Spinach Be Contaminated With Pathogens At Germination?

We have all heard about the several deadly E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce that sickened hundreds of people last year in the United States. That contamination apparently occurred while the greens were growing in the field. But can leafy greens such as spinach be contaminated with pathogens during germination? Unfortunately, leafy greens are a main source of foodborne illness, because they are easily contaminated in the field and typically aren't cooked before serving. But that contamination was on the surface of the plant, not internalized into the leaves themselves. Now researchers have looks at the possibility that spinach can be contaminated at germination. Even worse, this contamination can be internalized in the leaf, which means that no amount of … [Read more...]

Researchers Pinpoint Factors Influencing Spinach E. coli Contamination

A new research report about E. coli contamination on spinach has been published in the July 2013 issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Scientists found that contamination is "strongly influenced" by the time elapsed since the last irrigation, workers' personal hygiene and what the field was used for before the spinach was planted. In February 2013, Taylor Farms spinach was recalled for E. coli contamination, and late last year, 33 people were sickened in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to organic spinach. Another E. coli outbreak that sickened 200 people happened in 2006. Researchers studied spinach farms up to four times per growing season over a period of two years in this study. They pulled 955 spinach samples from 12 farms in Colorado and Texas. They … [Read more...]

Largest Multi-State Food Poisoning Outbreaks Of 2012: #7

An E.coli outbreak linked to spinach and spring mix sold at Wegmans and other grocery stores was the seventh largest multi-state food poisoning outbreak of 2012, based on the total number of people sickened. It was the third multi-state E.coli outbreak linked to salad greens in the last three years, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak, which was announced in November by the CDC sickened 33 people in five states before ending in December. The salad greens identified as the source of the outbreak were produced by State Garden of Chelsea, Mass. and sold in plastic, clamshell containers at Wegmans grocery stores. Case patients who were interviewed by public health authorities reported onset of illness from October 18, 2012 to … [Read more...]

CDC Declares E. coli 0157:H7 State Garden Organic Spinach Outbreak Over

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared that the multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli 0157:H7 infections that are associated with Garden State Organic Spinach and Spring Mix Blend is over. A total of 33 people were infected with the outbreak strain of STEC 0157:H7 in five states. Forty-six percent of ill persons were hospitalized. Two patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. No deaths were reported. State, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies linked the outbreak to pre-packaged leafy greens produced by State Garden of Chelsea, Massachusetts. Traceback investigation identified State Garden as a common producer, but a source of contamination has not been identified. The FDA is continuing to … [Read more...]

Spinach and Spring Mix E.coli Outbreak Ends

An E.coli outbreak linked to spinach and spring mix sold at Wegmans and other grocery stores has ended after sickening 33 people in five states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The salad greens were produced by State Garden of Chelsea, Mass. and sold in plastic, clamshell containers at Wegmans grocery stores. The outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) sickened 26 people in New York, three in Mass., two in Conn. and one each in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Almost half of the victims, 46 percent, were hospitalized, two with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. There were no fatalities reported. E.coli 0157:H7 is the strain found most commonly in people who have been sickened by E.coli. For … [Read more...]

Ultrasound Cleans Spinach (And The Teeth That Chew It)

Toothbrushes have been using sonic power to clean teeth for years. Now, researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have found that adding ultrasound pulses to the washing cycle used to sanitize spinach can reduce bacteria count, especially when coupled with the traditional chlorine solution rinse. Reserachers Bin Zhou, Hao Feng and Arne Pearlstein created and tested a spinach-washer with three pairs of ultrasonic heads operating at 25, 40, and 75 kilohertz and found that its use resulted in “significantly lower microbial count reduction” than the chlorine bath alone. Spinach and other leafy greens that grow close to the soil can harbor dangerous bacteria such as E.coli which can cause serious sometimes llife-threatening illness. So finding a  better way to wash … [Read more...]

E. coli Outbreak Third In Three Years Linked To Salad Greens

The E.coli outbreak linked to spinach and spring mix salad greens sold at Wegmans and other grocery stores is the third multi-state E.coli outbreak linked to salad greens in  the last three years, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak, which began in New York, now includes cases in Connecticut, Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. A spinach and spring mix blend sold at Wegmans grocery stores has been identified as one source of the outbreak for victims in New York. However, case patients  outside of New York mentioned eating other brands of pre-packaged leafy greens  before they became ill so other brands are still being investigated. The number of those ill in each state is as follows: Connecticut (2), Massachusetts (2), … [Read more...]

Wegmans Spinach Linked To E.coli Outbreak In 5 States

Wegmans spinach has been linked to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 28 people in five states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  The outbreak which began in New York, now includes cases in Connecticut, Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Ten people have been hospitalized, two of them with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. On November 2, 2012, Wegmans  issued a recall for 5 oz and 11 oz packages of its Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend for possible contamination with E.coli.  A collaborative investigation by state, local, and federal officials indicates that the Wegmans salad mix, produced by State Garden of Chelsea, Massachusetts, is one likely source of this outbreak. Samples taken from four leftover packages of … [Read more...]

New York E. coli Outbreak Linked to Wegmans Spinach Sickens 20

At least 20 people are now ill in the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak in New York. The outbreak is linked to packaged Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach & Spring Mix salads. The recall of this product was first announced on November 2, 2012 by the FDA. Six of the 20 patients were hospitalized, but all have been discharged. The age range is from 6 to 66 years. The product was sold in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts Wegmans stores between October 14 and November 1, 2012, but illnesses have only been reported in New York state. The recalled product includes 31,000 pounds of Wegmans Organic Spinach and Spring Mix. It was sold in 5 ounce clam shell packages, with UPC number 77890 16437, and 11 ounce clam shell packages with UPC number … [Read more...]

Fresh Express Recalls Spinach for Possible Salmonella

Fresh Express is recalling Fresh Express Spinach because it may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. No illnesses have been reported in association with the consumption of this product. A random sample tested positive for Salmonella under the USDA's random sample testing program. The 9 ounce packages of spinach has a use-by date of November 7, 2012 and product code of S299B25. The UPC number is 071279-13204-4. The salads were distributed in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. If you have purchased this product, do not eat it. Throw it out or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. For questions, or to receive a refund, call the Fresh … [Read more...]

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