Due to a multistate outbreak of E. coli, health officials warn that we shouldn’t eat fresh bagged spinach. This outbreak has killed at least one person and made dozens of others sick. Eight states are reporting at least 50 cases.
The death occurred in Wisconsin, where 20 people were reported ill, 11 of them in Milwaukee. The outbreak has sickened others — eight of them seriously — in Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah. In California, state health officials said they were investigating a possible case there.
The outbreak has affected a mix of ages, but most of the cases have involved women, Acheson said. Further information on the person who died wasn’t available.
Amy Philpott, a spokeswoman for the United Fresh Produce Association, says that reports are growing daily. “Our industry is very concerned,” she said. “We’re taking this very seriously.”
Anyone who has gotten sick after eating fresh spinach from a bag should see a doctor. Symptoms are abdominal cramps and severe, often bloody, diarrhea.
I was reading up on E. coli following this news and found out a few things I didn’t know. First of all, E. coli affects approximately 73,000 people in the U.S. annually. Furthermore, it’s responsible for at least 61 deaths in America each year.
PREVENTION:
1. Wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly. Think you’ve washed them well enough? Good, now wash them again.
2. Be certain you cook all meat thoroughly. Get a meat thermometer to be on the safe side – literally.
3. Do not swallow water in public pools or lakes. Be sure the young people in your world understand this one, too.
4. Use only pasteurized milk and juice.
As with all monsters in life, never assume this one only crawls under other people’s beds. Take all the necessary precautions.
Joi
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh no! This is terrible news. I use bagged spinach for *everything*. Am I right in assuming that frozen spinach is okay?
That was my first response, too – I use spinach A LOT! – Don’t you hate it when something that’s supposed to be good for you bites you on the backside???
As far as I’ve been able to find out, it’s only the bagged, fresh spinach that’s causing any problems.
Personally, I wouldn’t hesitate a second in using frozen spinach. In fact, I’ll be doing just that this week when I make a Spinach/Artichoke dip!
Joi