Idaho and Washington E. coli: Bagged Spinach
Four people in Idaho and Washington have been sickened by the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 associated with bagged spinach that has sickened over 50 people in multiple states. The FDA and state officials in Idaho and Washington have not determined the brands of bagged spinach involved in the outbreak; however, Dole has been sued on behalf of an Oregon woman. Dole was also implicated in a 2005 E. coli outbreak that involved bagged, pre-washed salad. Pritzker | Ruohonen was the first law firm to file a suit for a victim of that outbreak.
Washington, health officials said Friday the outbreak of E. coli had sickened a In Idaho, three people were sickened, and one of them was hospitalized. Health officials are investigating a case of E. coli in Washington that may be associated with bagged spinach.
E. coli O157:H7 is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, meaning contaminated feces is consumed. With spinach, the fecal contamination can happen anywhere from field to table. If the contamination happens on the field, the E. coli bacteria can grow within the plant, making it impossible to eliminate the E. coli by washing the spinach.
E. coli contamination is preventable with good sanitation measures. As this outbreak unfolds, hundreds of people may be sickened by the E. coli-contaminated, bagged spinach. These illnesses and at least one death may be the result of dirty farming practices, practices known to contaminate spinach and other leafy greens with E. coli.
Pritzker | Ruohonen & Associates, P.A., is one of the few in the United States that practices extensively in the area of foodborne illness litigation, including E. coli lawsuits. The firm has collected millions of dollars on behalf of victims of E. coli O157:H7 and other foodborne outbreaks. The firm has a national food poisoning lawsuit practice and represents clients throughout the United States. To contact Fred Pritzker, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, e-mail fhp@pritzkerlaw.com, or fill out our online consultation form.
Source: Officials: 4 people in Idaho, Wash sickened in E. coli outbreak, Associated Press, September 15, 2006.
