Food Engineering
E. Coli

Organic Spinach and Spring Mix Blend Linked to E. Coli Outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Food and Drug Admnistration are investigating.

November 20, 2012

The Centers for Disease Control is collaborating with FDA and public health officials in several states to investigate a recent outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections. Wegmans brand Organic Spinach and Spring Mix Blend produced by State Garden of Chelsea, MA appears to be one of the sources. The CDC has identified 28 individuals sickened by the E. Coli in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New York. Ten have been hospitalized, but no one has died. In New York, 13 of 16 ill persons interviewed reported having eaten Wegmans brand prepackaged greens, while elsewhere all five of five interviewees reported eating prepackaged greens, though not from Wegmans. The CDC and other authorities continue to investigate the cause of the outbreak.

Shane O’Halloran joined Food Engineering in November of 2012 as Digital/Online Editor. He graduated from Oberlin College in 2010, and worked as a copy editor and contributor to BleacherReport.com and ShesGameSports.com. He has also written feature articles on a freelance basis for publications in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. His areas of expertise include social media campaigns and website management. Shane produces daily news updates for www.foodengineeringmag.com and Food Engineering’s social media sites. In addition, Shane writes news articles for FE’s TechFlash e-newsletter and Food Engineering’s People and Industry section.