The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released details and expanded advice to consumers regarding the multi-state outbreak of deadly E. coli O157:H7-related illnesses linked to the consumption of fresh bagged spinach.

By Friday afternoon, FDA had traced at least one source of E. coli contaminated spinach to pre-packaged spinach products distributed by Natural Selection Foods, LLC, of San Juan Bautista, CA. and marked with “Best if Used by Dates” of August 17, 2006 through October 1, 2006. The company immediately issued a voluntary recall of all of their products containing fresh spinach.

Brands Involved: Brands under which the contaminated spinach may have been sold include: Natural Selection Foods, Pride of San Juan, Earthbound Farm, Bellissima, Dole, Rave Spinach, Emeril, Sysco, O Organic, Fresh Point, River Ranch, Superior, Nature’s Basket, Pro-Mark, Compliments, Trader Joe’s, Ready Pac, Jansal Valley, Cheney Brothers, Coastline, D’Arrigo Brothers, Green Harvest, Mann, Mills Family Farm, Pro*Act, Premium Fresh, Snoboy, The Farmer’s Market, Tanimura & Antle, President’s Choice, Cross Valley, and Riverside Farms.

In addition, the FDA now advises that consumers should avoid eating any fresh spinach and any salad with spinach in a blend, sold in both retail stores and restaurants. "Based on current information, FDA advises that people not eat fresh spinach or fresh spinach containing-products that are consumed raw," stated the FDA. Other sources of the contaminated products may be identified during the government's ongoing investigation.

Throw it Out: The E. coli bacteria cannot be removed by washing the spinach. Instead, FDA recommends that the products be discarded.

As of Saturday morning the FDA's investigation is ongoing and states that had reported related illnesses included: California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The affected products were also distributed to Canada and Mexico.

Also See:
Avoiding, Recognizing and Treating E. coli Infections (About First Aid)
Dr. Vincent Iannelli, M.D. on the Spinach Warning (About Pediatrics)