Don't eat your spinach

[Johnny Coli]

E.coli outbreak possibly linked to bagged spinach, as per MSNBC.

E. coli outbreak in 8 states tied to fresh spinach

Consumers nationwide should not eat fresh bagged spinach, say health officials probing a multistate outbreak of E. coli that killed at least one person and made dozens of others sick.

 

Food and Drug Administration and state officials don’t know the cause of the outbreak, although raw, packaged spinach appears likely. “We’re advising people not to eat it,” said Dr. David Acheson of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

 

Eight states were reporting a total of 50 cases of E. coli, Acheson said Thursday.

 

Not sure if everyone does this, but just because salad mixes, spinach, and bean sprouts come in a bag doesn't mean that they've been cleaned, and should be thoroughly washed. Most of this stuff is processed and bagged, and may not ever get a rinsed. Bean sprouts can be particularly nasty. So, if you have to eat this stuff (I'm not a big fan of veggies anyway), and you don't want to get a bout of diarrhea, cramps, bloody stool and/or worse, give 'em a good rinse.

 

And while you're at it, always wash your damn hands.

[rastabillz]

I also heard on the news that if the plant is grown with water tainted with e-coli that even washing will not remove the bacteria because it is inside the plant itself.

[inkman]

I'm going to stop eating veggies and stick to all meat. I know thier can't be anything wrong with that.

[Johnny Coli]

I also heard on the news that if the plant is grown with water tainted with e-coli that even washing will not remove the bacteria because it is inside the plant itself.

773733[/snapback]

You are correct. Studies using contaminated water to irrigate lettuce, followed by leaf surface sterilization, have shown that the lettuce remains contaminated. In that case, washing has no effect.

[Talonz]

CHRIS ROCK WOULD BE PROUD

 

 

[GoodBye]

You are correct.  Studies using contaminated water to irrigate lettuce, followed by leaf surface sterilization, have shown that the lettuce remains contaminated.  In that case, washing has no effect.

773762[/snapback]

Cooking it will kill it right?

[Talonz]

CHRIS ROCK WOULD BE PROUD

 

773771[/snapback]

 

 

They changed the headline, but it said: "TOSS THAT SALAD: SPINACH , etc. "

 

[BuckeyeBill]

Now THAT'S why I never eat my spinach. Yuck.

 

Popeye must be mad about this one.

[Johnny Coli]

Cooking it will kill it right? 

774070[/snapback]

Yes, cooking it thoroughly will kill the bacteria, but the FDA is suggesting that you just get rid of it. That's probably the best suggestion, because you really don't know how people are going to use it. The people that steam, boil or saute' it will most likely be fine. But if you use it in a stuffing, etc, it might not get up to a temp that would be sufficient. Just throw it out. Also, you don't want it around other food items, as most people would keep this in the fridge crisper with other fruits/veggies that won't get cooked.

[Just Jack]

Yes, cooking it thoroughly will kill the bacteria, but the FDA is suggesting that you just get rid of it.  That's probably the best suggestion, because you really don't know how people are going to use it.  The people that steam, boil or saute' it will most likely be fine. But if you use it in a stuffing, etc, it might not get up to a temp that would be sufficient.  Just throw it out.  Also, you don't want it around other food items, as most people would keep this in the fridge crisper with other fruits/veggies that won't get cooked.

774150[/snapback]

Just to add with what you said, the news this morning said in order to kill the bacteria, the spinach would have to be heated to 170, and at that temp, it would be ruined.

[GoodBye]

Yes, cooking it thoroughly will kill the bacteria, but the FDA is suggesting that you just get rid of it.  That's probably the best suggestion, because you really don't know how people are going to use it.  The people that steam, boil or saute' it will most likely be fine. But if you use it in a stuffing, etc, it might not get up to a temp that would be sufficient.  Just throw it out.  Also, you don't want it around other food items, as most people would keep this in the fridge crisper with other fruits/veggies that won't get cooked.

774150[/snapback]

Darn, I just bought some too. Thanks for the info!

[Chilly]

I'd much rather be infected with ecoli then Johnny Coli!

 

[Pete]

damn, I love spinach and eat it all the time

[The Dean]

E.coli outbreak possibly linked to bagged spinach, as per MSNBC.

E. coli outbreak in 8 states tied to fresh spinach

Not sure if everyone does this, but just because salad mixes, spinach, and bean sprouts come in a bag doesn't mean that they've been cleaned, and should be thoroughly washed.  Most of this stuff is processed and bagged, and may not ever get a rinsed.  Bean sprouts can be particularly nasty.  So, if you have to eat this stuff (I'm not a big fan of veggies anyway), and you don't want to get a bout of diarrhea, cramps, bloody stool and/or worse, give 'em a good rinse.

 

And while you're at it, always wash your damn hands.

773730[/snapback]

 

 

When I saw that in the paper today, I thought of you!

 

Most baged salad is triple washed, but not all of it.

 

Washing your hands is an excellent idea. In fact, I wash my hands BEFORE I go to the bathroom so I don't touch my massive...er...tiny thing with dirty hands.

 

True story: When I worked at WCVB (channel 5) in Boston, then Surgeon Genreal and all-around crackpot, C. Everett Koop was in the station to do an interview. I happened to be in the men's room at the same time as Dr. Koop. NEWSFLASH: Koop didn't wash his hands.

[Corp000085]

damn, i really don't see all the fuss over some random guy who took a dump in the processing plant... Literally, in the processing plant...