An update on the E. coli outbreak from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- The FDA is still advising consumers not to eat any fresh spinach or salad blends containing fresh spinach that are consumed raw (organic and nonorganic).
- E. coli in spinach can be killed by cooking it at 160°F for 15 seconds. (Water boils at 212°F.) If spinach is cooked in a frying pan and all parts do not reach 160°F, all bacteria may not be killed.
- If consumers choose to cook spinach, they should avoid cross-contamination with other foods and cooking surfaces.
- Wash hands, utensils and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling the spinach.
- If you develop diarrhea after consuming fresh spinach or salad blends that contain it, contact your healthcare provider. Have a stool specimen tested for E. coli.
- If you ate fresh spinach or salad blends before the outbreak was announced and you feel well, you do not need to see a healthcare provider.
According to the FDA, there are now 21 confirmed states with infected consumers (two more than reported previously): California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
OrganicAuthority.com will continue to provide updates through this blog as part of our commitment to organic living.
