FDA Alert for Spinach and E. coli

On September 14 2006, an alert was issued by the Food and Drug Administration because of an outbreak of E. coli in several states. The source of the outbreak is believed to be bagged fresh spinach and consumers are being warned to not eat bagged fresh spinach at this time. Symptoms of illness may include diarrhea with bloody stools; a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) may also occur but is more likely in young children and the elderly. Serious kidney damage may result in death.

50 cases of illness have been reported including 8 cases of HUS and one death.

States reporting illness to date include Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Wisconsin.