Virginia grocery stores have been pulling all fresh spinach off their shelves after a breakout of Escherichia coli, better known as E. coli, turned up in the Commonwealth. Currently, there is only one recorded incident of an E. coli infection in Virginia, but 18 other states have also reported infections.
According to Jennifer Panetta, director of communications at Harris Teeter, the company issued a press release last Thursday that stated, "To ensure the safety of its shoppers Harris Teeter will be removing all bagged salads containing fresh spinach until further notice."
Similar actions have been taken by other grocery stores in Virginia.
Kelly Lobanov, spokesperson for Virginia Department of Health, explained that the VDH sent out an original advisory urging people and businesses to avoid only bagged spinach, but that advisory was soon changed to avoid all fresh spinach, bagged or not.
Doug Saunders, program manager with the Office of Dairy and Foods at the Department of Agriculture, said it is still undetermined how the spinach became infected.
Saunders said it is not unusual to find this type of bacteria when dealing with a raw agriculture commodity, but since the spinach was processed before being bagged, the concern is how the microorganism then infected the vegetable.
Lobanov explained that E. coli infections appear three to four days after the contaminated food is ingested. Symptoms include stomach cramps and severe diarrhea.
In most cases, little to no fever is present, and usually the infection will clear up in five to 10 days, Lobanov added.
However, in the case of a Wisconsin man, E. coli can lead to hemolytic-uremic syndrome, or kidney failure, and can be fatal, Saunders said.
The spread of E. coli from person to person is possible, but only through a fecal to oral route, he added.
The VDH is urging people to wash their hands with soap and water after using the bathroom and while handling foods, and of course to avoid raw spinach, Lobonav said.
"If you suspect that you have become ill it is highly recommended that you visit your doctor," Saunders said.
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