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Two More Spinach Deaths Reported

Nine California Farms Being Inspected

September 22, 2006

• California Burger Patties Recalled • Final Verdict on 2006 Spinach E. Coli Outbreak: Unknown • Consumer Groups Want FDA to Regulate Sanitation on Farms • Irradiation Could Reduce Food-Borne Illness • E. Coli In Spinach Linked To Manure • FBI Probes E. coli Outbreak • Food Safety Expert Sees More Trouble Ahead • Sensor May Speed E. Coli Detection • Two More Spinach Deaths Reported • Tainted Spinach Toll Rises • Second Company Named in Contaminated Spinach Outbreak • California Spinach Blamed for E. coli Outbreak • E. coli Outbreak in Bagged Spinach --- • Consumer complaints about Contaminated Spinach

The death toll from tainted spinach has climbed to three after a two-year-old boy in Idaho and an elderly woman in Maryland died from suspected E. coli infections.

Health officials are inspecting nine farms in California's Salinas Valley, where the outbreak is thought to have originated.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is continuiing to warn Americans not to eat fresh spinach until the source of the outbreak has been traced. At least 157 people in 23 states have been affected. More than 80 have been hospitalized.

In Chubbuck, Idaho, authorities said Kyle Allgood died Wednesday of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a sudden kidney failure often caused by E. coli.

The Baltimore Sun identified the Maryland victim as June E. Dunning, 86. Until she was stricken, said her son-in-law, Warren Swartz, of Hagerstown, she "was as healthy as she could be."

Besides the packaged salads and packaged spinach implicated earlier, some consumers say they have become ill after eating other packaged products containing spinach.

Bill of Southbury, Conn., said his family made stuffed filet of sole using Oceans Cuisine Spinach Florentine stuffing.

"All but one of us got sick shortly after eating. I think the stuffing is what made us sick because one of my sons had his fish plain broiled and did not get sick like the rest of us," Bill told ConsumerAffairs.com.

Late last week, Natural Selection Foods, LLC, of San Juan Bautista, California, announced a voluntary recall of all products containing spinach in all brands they pack with "Best if Used by Dates" of August 17, 2006 through October 1, 2006.

These products include spinach and any salad with spinach in a blend, both retail and food service products. Products that do not contain spinach are not part of this recall.

Natural Selection Foods, LLC brands include: Natural Selection Foods, Pride of San Juan, Earthbound Farm, Bellissima, Dole, Rave Spinach, Emeril, Sysco, O Organic, Fresh Point, River Ranch, Superior, Nature's Basket, Pro-Mark, Compliments, Trader Joe's, Ready Pac, Jansal Valley, Cheney Brothers, D'Arrigo Brothers, Green Harvest, Mann, Mills Family Farm, Premium Fresh, Snoboy, The Farmer's Market, Tanimura & Antle, President's Choice, Cross Valley, and Riverside Farms.

The affected products were also distributed to Canada, Mexico, and Taiwan. No illnesses have been reported from these countries. FDA continues to investigate whether other companies and brands are involved.

Early this week River Ranch, of Salinas, California, announced a voluntary recall of packages of spring mix containing spinach. River Ranch obtained bulk spring mix containing spinach from Natural Selections.

The recalled brands include: Fresh N' Easy Spring Mix and Hy-Vee Spring mix containing baby spinach, distributed to retailers in Texas, Iowa and New Mexico. Product was packed in 5 oz. bags and 5 oz. plastic trays. Products that do not contain spinach are not part of this recall.

FDA officials noted that the affected products were also distributed to Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Iceland, but so far no illnesses have been reported in those countries.

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