The University of North Carolina and North Carolina Department of Health announced that they are investigating an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak among UNC students. Although no common source of exposure to the bacteria has been identified, health officials are working to determine the cause of the outbreak and do not believe that more students are
Is composted manure safe from E. coli?
The Daily Evergreen, Washington State University’s daily newspaper, interviewed John Reganold, a WSU regents professor of crop and soil sciences, and Richard Finch, the compost manager at the WSU Compost Facility, regarding their opinions on the safety of composted manure:
“If people are using properly composted materials, they should be completely safe in organic farm
E. coli investigation: Ranch denies involvement
The owners of the Paicines Ranch, which has reportedly been under investigation as a potential source of the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak traced to contaminated spinach, issued a statement about reports of its involvement.
The owners told KSBW: " The Paicines Ranch is not under investigation by any government agency. We lease row crop land
Deadly Pathogens and Science vs. PR and Politics: Spinach in Monterey County – California Progress Report
Frank Pecarich, a retired soil scientist, points out that more could have been done before the E. coli outbreak traced to spinach, had scientists been listened to when they pointed out problems with the agricultural systems in the Salinas Valley.
"At first, our analysis clearly spied the flaws in the agriculture infrastructure and system of
The return of spinach
Veggin’ Out, an online blog, posted a commentary on the recent spinach-related E. coli outbreak:
"The last time I went grocery shopping, I saw that fresh spinach was back on the store shelves. However, I didn’t buy any. Before the E. coli scare, I always had fresh spinach in my refrigerator. However, when given the
E. coli cases may be linked to State Fair food stand
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that at least three people have become ill from E. coli O157:H7 infections after attending the North Carolina State Fair.
A 2004 outbreak at the fair was traced to a petting zoo; however, the suspected source of this latest outbreak is a food stand.
Two adults and a teenager got sick
Grocers put pressure on produce industry to clean up
The LA Times reports concerns from several grocers who are putting pressure on the produce industry to ensure fresh produce is safe.
An October survey of consumer attitudes by the association found that 22% of the respondents lacked confidence in the safety of all fresh produce products, not just spinach.
As the spinach crisis unfolded
E. coli spinach case: Lawsuit filed on behalf of family of woman who died
A lawsuit has been filed by Seattle lawfirm Marler Clark on behalf of the family of Ruby Trautz, an elderly woman who died after eating E. coli-contaminated spinach.
The estate is suing Dole Food Co. of Westlake Village, Calif.; Natural Selections Foods of San Juan Bautista, Calif.; No Frills Supermarkets of Omaha; and the