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E. Coli In Spinach Linked To Manure

October 13, 2006

• California Burger Patties Recalled • Final Verdict on 2006 Spinach E. Coli Outbreak: Unknown • Consumer Groups Want FDA to Regulate Sanitation on Farms • Irradiation Could Reduce Food-Borne Illness • E. Coli In Spinach Linked To Manure • FBI Probes E. coli Outbreak • Food Safety Expert Sees More Trouble Ahead • Sensor May Speed E. Coli Detection • Two More Spinach Deaths Reported • Tainted Spinach Toll Rises • Second Company Named in Contaminated Spinach Outbreak • California Spinach Blamed for E. coli Outbreak • E. coli Outbreak in Bagged Spinach --- • Consumer complaints about Contaminated Spinach

Scientists have traced the outbreak of E. coli in spinach to animal manure used on four ranches in California's San Joaquin Valley.

Samples of cattle feces on one of the implicated ranches tested positive based on matching genetic fingerprints for the same strain of E. coli that sickened 199 people, the Food and Drug Administration and California investigators said.

The FDA says the trace-back investigation has narrowed to four implicated fields on four ranches. The outbreak strain of E. coli from cow manure was identified on one of those four ranches.

Testing of other environmental samples from all four ranches that supplied the implicated lot of contaminated spinach are in progress. The positive test result is a significant finding, the agency says, but is just one aspect of the investigation.

These four fields, located in Monterey and San Benito counties, are not currently being used to grow any fresh produce.

While the focus of this outbreak has narrowed to these four fields, the history of E. coli outbreaks linked to leafy greens indicates an ongoing problem, FDA said.

In November 2005, the agency warned the lettuce industry that it was concerned about the history of outbreaks and the ongoing risk for product contamination of leafy greens.

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