2006 News

September 15 , 2006

Public Urged to Avoid Fresh-Bagged Spinach Due to Risk of E. Coli Exposure

The Bucks County Department of Health is cautioning all county residents not to eat any fresh-bagged spinach until further notice.

The warning from the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) applies to consumers nationwide because of the uncertainty of the origin of the bagged spinach, and how widely the product was distributed. Cooking the product will not reduce the danger of infection with the suspected contaminant. Eight states have reported 50 cases of E. coli with one reported death in Wisconsin.

County residents should avoid the purchase of any bagged fresh spinach. If purchases have been made of this product, it should be returned immediately to the store where it was purchased. Any bags of the spinach product that have been opened should be discarded to the trash. Restaurants with open salad bars that offer the fresh spinach product should remove the product immediately.

E. coli causes diarrhea, often with bloody stools. Most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, although some people including the very young and old can develop kidney failure leading to death. Anyone who develops symptoms within 24 hours or less after eating the fresh-bagged spinach should contact their family physician immediately.

Should you have any questions, please contact the Bucks County Department of Health at 215-345-3318.