Spinach Recall - Recent News - FindLaw

April 22, 2007: Spinach Lawsuits Reach Settlement
Lawsuits filed in connection with the deaths of three women who became ill and died after eating contaminated spinach have reached a settlement. The families of the three women (from Maryland, Nebraska, and Washington) reached an out-of-court agreement with California companies that processed and sold spinach that was later found to be tainted with e. Coli. Terms of the settlement were not made public.

March 23, 2007: FDA Finalizes Report on Spinach Outbreak
A final report has been released detailing extensive investigation and findings related to the 2006 e. Coli outbreak associated with spinach. The report is a joint effort between the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the California Department of Health Services. According to the FDA, "The investigators successfully identified the environmental risk factors and the areas that were most likely involved in the outbreak, but they were unable to definitely determine how the contamination originated." Read the FDA Press Release.

October 12, 2006: E. coli Traced to California Cattle Ranch
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state officials in California announced that a recent field test of cattle feces on a Salinas Valley cattle ranch showed a match for the same strain of E. coli that has caused three deaths and sickened 199 people in 25 states. According to the FDA, the investigation into the source of the recent E. coli outbreak "has narrowed to four implicated fields on four ranches", and "the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 from cattle feces was identified on one of these four ranches." The four ranches (in Monterey and San Benito counties) are not currently being used to grow fresh produce. Read the FDA Press Release.

October 9, 2006: FDA Issues E. coli in Spinach Update
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 199 cases of illness due to E. coli O157:H7 infection linked to fresh spinach have been reported, including 31 cases of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), 102 hospitalizations and three deaths. The first death was an elderly woman in Wisconsin. The second death of a two-year-old in Idaho and the third death of an elderly woman in Nebraska were confirmed. FDA reports that all spinach implicated in the current outbreak has traced back to Natural Selection Foods LLC of San Juan Bautista, California. Read the latest FDA Information.

October 4, 2006: FBI and FDA Raid California Spinach Producers
Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carried out search warrants at two California produce companies, as part of an ongoing effort to determine the source of a recent E. coli outbreak linked to fresh spinach. The federal agencies are investigating possible violations of food safety laws at the two companies: Growers Express (in Salinas) and Natural Selection Foods (in San Juan Bautista).

September 21, 2006: First Lawsuits Filed Over Spinach / E. coli
Three lawsuits have been filed in federal courts in Oregon, Wisconsin, and Utah, over links between fresh spinach and a recent outbreak of E. coli sickness in more than 20 states. The suits name three spinach distributors as defendants: Natural Selection Foods, Natural Selection Foods Manufacturing, and Dole Food Co.

• Read the Lawsuits: Oregon | Wisconsin | Utah

September 21, 2006: E. coli Found in Spinach Package
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the New Mexico Department of Health has linked a sample from a package of spinach with the outbreak strain of E. coli. The spinach was eaten by one of New Mexico's patients before he or she became sick. DNA fingerprinting tests determined that the strain from the spinach matches the strain from patients in the outbreak. The package of spinach that tested positive was labeled "Dole Baby Spinach, Best if Used by August 30."

September 20, 2006: FDA Update on Spinach / E. coli Outbreak
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated its warning about the outbreak of E. coli bacterial infection that has been linked to spinach products. The FDA "advises that people not eat any fresh spinach or salad blends containing fresh spinach that are consumed raw, until further notice." According to the FDA, 23 states have now reported 146 illnesses to date, including 76 hospitalizations and one death. Read the FDA Press Release.

September 15, 2006: Natural Selection Foods Recalls Spinach Products
Natural Selection Foods, LLC, of San Juan Bautista, California, is recalling all of its products that contain spinach in all the brands they pack with "Best if Used by Dates" of August 17, 2006 through October 1, 2006. 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, Coastline, 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. 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. Read the FDA Press Release and the Statement from Natural Selection Foods.

September 14, 2006: FDA Warns of Link Between Bagged Spinach and E. coli
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers nationwide about an outbreak of E. coli bacterial infection in multiple states, stating that the outbreak may be linked to fresh bagged spinach. According to the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50 cases of illness have been reported, including one death. Read the FDA Press Release.