The recent outbreak of E. coli caused by eating fresh spinach packaged by Natural Selection Foods goes to show that the FDA and USDA still have work to do to prevent the bacteria from infecting US foods. The outbreak, which has sickened more than 170 people, is also a reminder that food manufacturers face devastating financial losses when they fail to deliver safe edibles.
This outbreak, the latest of nearly 20 related to leafy vegetables over the last 10 years, was apparently caused by contamination in Natural Selection’s Southern California fields - not in its processing plants. The bacteria is typically spread through animal (mostly cow) droppings, polluted irrigation water, or unsanitary work conditions. The current situation has sparked agricultural organizations such as Western Growers to initiate measures to improve safety standards against the bacteria. California regulators are also carefully examining the situation; the state produces about 70% of all spinach consumed in the US.
Natural Selection is not the only company suffering from tainted greens: Fresh spinach producers in other regions of California and in other states (including #2 and #3 producers Arizona and Texas) are feeling the effects as the product has been removed from stores. Spinach from these areas has been OK’d by the FDA but won’t hit the shelves until consumer trust is regained. Several companies using Natural Selection’s spinach in their products have also had to issue recalls. Natural Selection is seeing big losses - together the Salinas Valley growers are losing about $1 million per day in sales. The company is also facing lawsuits from sick consumers.
Field workers, truckers, restaurants, and stores are feeling the financial impact, as well. And spinach lovers (including me) are being forced to make do with frozen or canned, both of which are processed with high-heat that destroys E. coli. The only good news from this outbreak is for processed food giants like Del Monte and Seneca Foods.
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