National outbreak of E. coli spreading through spinach

With the latest outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7, people nationwide are being warned against eating bagged spinach grown in three counties in California.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reporting to have determined that the contaminated spinach was grown in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Clara counties in California.

The public is advised to avoid consuming spinach originating in one of the three counties or if the location in which it was grown cannot be verified. However, it is safe for the public to consume spinach from non-implicated areas, the FDA also said, noting canned and frozen spinach is also safe to eat.

E. coli is a bacteria commonly found in the intestinal track of mammals.

“E. coli itself is bacteria and bacteria’s common place of residence is where it can survive. E. coli is found in warm-blooded mammals’ intestines likeanimals and humans. It is predominant in the intestinal track,” said Brian Nummer, Utah State University’s Extension food safety specialist.

Because E. coli is found in the intestinal track of animals, Donald McMahon, a professor in USU’s nutrition and food science department, said it is possible that the bacteria made its way to spinach plants through irrigation or fertilization.

The bacteria could have been present in sewage or manure used on farms, McMahon said.

There are hundreds of stains of E. coli, with 0157:H7 being the deadliest.Strains of this bacteria are identified by their physical harm to people, McMahon said. E. coli 0157:H7 is more harmful because it can attack one’s kidneys, he said.

“This particular strain produces toxin that is quite deadly to kidneys,” McMahon said. “When ingested, it can start to multiply in the intestinal track and start to generate toxin.”

Cases of less serious infection typically lead to mild intestinal upset that last a few days with no lingering affect, McMahon said.

Nummer said people with weaker immune systems are more likely to suffer serious effects of 0157:H7. Those more at risk include pregnant women, newborns, children and the elderly.

McMahon said there are some standard steps people can take to avoid 0157:H7, or other strains of E. coli, including good sanitation of cooking utensils and cutting boards.

It is also important to have some idea of where food was processed, McMahon said.

“Have some knowledge of where the product was grown. It is different on a

larger scale where most people don’t grow their own foods, but avoid consuming

spinach right now,” McMahon said.

The fresh produce market is losing $1 million a day as a result of the latest

scare, Nummer said. The question now for companies and distributors is

whether or not they will require consumers to wash and sanitize spinach at

home, he said.

Before spinach is packaged, it is collected by the processing company

and put through a long washing process designed to completely sanitize the

plant, Nummer said. However, in light of recent events, he said the industry

must face the question of requiring additional washing by customers.

Nummer said, “People love bagged spinach because it is so convenient. The

giant question once this is over is, ‘How will people feel about bagged

spinach coming from New Jersey or Minnesota or wherever it might be?'”

Foodborne E. coli is typically found in undercooked hamburger.

“The greatest concern for E. coli, actually, has been in hamburger. They

slaughter the cow and their insides are filled with E. coli. Hamburger is

ground and the bacteria gets mixed up all the way to the center,” Nummer

said.

“It is recommended that consumers and restaurants cook meat to 155 degrees

Fahrenheit and to use a thermometer and insert it in the middle fat juicy part

because it can be undercooked,” Nummer said. “Temperature is really important

to killing bacteria.”

There is also concern about E. coli and other bacteria in juices that are not

pasteurized, Nummer said.

To date, there have been 175 cases of illnesses caused by E. coli

0157:H7 in spinach that have been reported to the Center for Disease Control

and Prevention, according to the FDA. This number includes 93

hospitalizations and 28 cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, a form of kidney

failure. Illnesses related to this outbreak have been reported in 25 states.

There have been 18 cases in Utah.

One death has resulted from the consumption of spinach carrying E. Coli

0157:H7.

ariek@cc.usu.edu