E. Coli Outbreak Linked To Baby Spinach Found In At Least 7 States

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning consumers about an E. coli outbreak linked to baby spinach that has hit seven states across the Midwest.

The affected spinach was Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach that was sold at stores nationwide in plastic clamshell containers. It has a best buy date of Oct. 23, 2021.

According to the CDC, Minnesota officials found E. coli present in a package of leftover Josie’s Organics baby spinach at a person’s home who became ill. Another five people reported eating the spinach during the week before they got sick, and one person reported the Josie’s Organics brand.

There have been 10 people who have become ill from the E.coli outbreak. Two people have been hospitalized.

The outbreak has impacted Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and South Dakota.

The CDC said it is working to determine if any other products may be contaminated as part of the outbreak.

Symptoms of E.coli can include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), vomiting, dehydration and fever higher than 102° F.

The CDC recommends not eating any contaminated spinach, saying that it should be thrown away immediately or returned to the place of purchase.

All surfaces and items that came in contact with the contaminated spinach should be disinfected, the agency said.

The E.coli outbreak follows another recent case that was being investigated by the CDC for Salmonella and was linked to onions. The Food and Drug Administration has issued a number of recalls for onions due to Salmonella contamination.

Over 800 people were sickened by the Salmonella outbreak that spread across 37 states and into Puerto Rico.