E.coli detected in spinach in New York

A total of 28 people have been infected with bacteria linked with an organic spinach and spring mix blend. The infections have been reported from five states, with most cases in New York.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that a total of twenty-eight people have been infected with the outbreak strain of a harmful bacterium: the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strain O157:H7. According to CBS, the infections have been reported from five states, with most cases in New York. Almost half of the infected people have been hospitalized. Two of the people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. Patients ranged in age from 6 to 66 years old. However, no deaths have been reported. U.S. health officials have stated that Wegmans brand Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend produced by State Garden of Chelsea, Massachusetts, is the most likely source of this outbreak. This is because four leftover packages of Wegmans brand Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend collected from four ill persons’ homes yielded the outbreak strain of STEC O157:H7The outbreak began in New York. Wegmans Food Markets has 81 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts. WHEC states that Wegmans purchased the salad from a company called State Garden. Wegmans have issued a recall notice about the suspect products. The products are: Batch/UPC Code: Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach & Spring Mix, 11oz – UPC: 77890-16411 – ONLY product sold between 10/14/12 and 11/1/12. Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach & Spring Mix, 5oz – UPC: 77890-16437 – ONLY product sold between 10/14/12 and 11/1/12.