Batch/UPC Code: Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach & Spring Mix, 11oz – UPC: 77890-16411 – ONLY product sold between 10/14/12 and 11/1/12.

Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach & Spring Mix, 5oz – UPC: 77890-16437 – ONLY product sold between 10/14/12 and 11/1/12.

Reason for Recall: State Garden is recalling two sizes of this product because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

Thus far no illnesses have been reported.

Cowlitz County Health and Human Services is investigating one confirmed case and one probable case (laboratory confirmation pending) of illness caused by E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria in children that visited the Willow Grove Gardens Pumpkin Patch and petting zoo. The two children became ill after visiting the farm earlier this month. One of the children was hospitalized for several days but is now recovering.

E. coli 0157:H7 is a bacterial infection that can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that may be bloody. Children with those symptoms should see a health care provider immediately. In addition, their parents should contact Public Health at (360) 414-5599. Infections can range from mild to very severe. The infection can cause kidney damage and is sometimes fatal. Fever is usually very mild or nonexistent.

Farm animals can carry E. coli 0157:H7 and can shed the bacteria in their stool even if they appear well. It is very easy for the animal hide to become contaminated. Children and adults can get the infection simply by petting the animal or by having other contact that could expose them to animal feces. Any touching of the eyes, nose, and mouth after contact with a contaminated surface including the animal is a major route of infection. Young children tend to put everything in their mouths, which increases the potential for illness. Other risk factors include eating, drinking, or using a pacifier while in the area where animals are housed.

Anyone, children and adults, visiting a petting zoo or having contact with farm animals should wash their hands with soap and water immediately after any contact with animals. Supervise young children to ensure they wash their hands thoroughly. Check to see if a hand-washing station with running water is available before visiting the animals. If a hand-washing station is not available, do not have any contact. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is not a substitute for adequate hand-washing in these situations.. If you have had contact with animals and discover that hand-washing station is not available, be sure to use plenty of alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Keep rubbing until the sanitizer has evaporated, then wash your hands at the first opportunity and always wash before eating.

Based on all the information collected to date—epidemiological, microbiological and food safety—the following cases of illness are linked to the specific strain of E. coli O157 observed in the XL Foods Inc., food safety investigation.

Province / Territory Total confirmed cases
* One case is a visitor to Canada.
  Alberta 7
  Newfoundland and Labrador 1
  Quebec 5
  British Columbia 3*
  Total 16

More information about products that have been recalled and how that aspect of the investigation has unfolded, including the temporary closure of Establishment 38, is available on the CFIA website.

The number suspected ill in an E. coli outbreak connected to a Belfast restaurant has risen to at least 282, Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency announced on Tuesday.

The number ill consists of 119 laboratory-confirmed cases and another 163 probable cases. Probable cases are those with exposure and corresponding symptoms, but who have not been tested for E. coli infection in a clinical laboratory.

The North Carolina Department of Health has revised the number ill in the Cleveland County Fair E. coli outbreak to 100 people, the agency announced Tuesday.

The agency previously believed to have 106 people ill last Friday, and then revised the number to 98 on Monday.

A 2 year-old boy died from complications of his E. coli infection on Friday, October 12.

The outbreak is suspected to be linked to the fair’s petting zoo exhibit.

The number ill according to county are as follows:

Cleveland County – 59
Gaston County – 14 (1 death)
Lincoln County – 14
Catawba County – 1
Union County – 2
Rutherford – 6
York County, South Carolina – 2
Cherokee County, South Carolina – 2

Higa Meat & Pork Market, a Honolulu, HI establishment, is recalling approximately 4,100 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

• 10-lb. bags of “HIGA MARKET-GROUND BEEF BULK” – 1 to 6 bags per carton/case.

Each case bears the establishment number “EST. 12457M” inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as the identifying case code number: “291.” The products were produced on Oct. 17, 2012 and were distributed to restaurants in the Oahu, HI area.

The problem was discovered by FSIS and occurred as a result of the products testing positive for E. coli O157:H7 and being shipped prior to the company receiving test results.

Main Street Quality Meats, a Salt Lake City, Utah establishment, is recalling approximately 2,310 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

• 10-lb cases of “GROUND BEEF BULK.”

• 12-lb cases of “GROUND BEEF PATTIES.”

Each case bears the establishment number “EST. 19916″ inside the USDA mark of inspection, as well as any of the following identifying lot numbers: “1018121,” “1019121,” “1018122,” or “1019122.” The products were produced on Oct. 18 and Oct. 19, 2012, and were distributed to restaurants in Utah.

The problem was discovered by FSIS and occurred as a result of the products testing positive for E. coli O157:H7 and being shipped prior to the company receiving test results.

The Division of Public Health of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services in collaboration with Local Health Departments is investigating an outbreak of E. coli infection in 106 people who attended the Cleveland County Fair. Preliminary findings suggest animal exposure may be the source of this outbreak.

As of 2 p.m., 64 children* and 42 adults are known to be/have been affected by this outbreak. Twelve individuals* have been or are currently hospitalized. The county case counts are as follows: Cleveland County – 61, Gaston County – 18*, Lincoln County – 14, Catawba County – 1, Mecklenburg – 1, Union County – 3, Rutherford – 4, York County, South Carolina – 2, Cherokee County, South Carolina – 2 *this number includes one death related to the outbreak

The number of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to beef from XL Foods in Canada has risen from 12 to 15, according to a notice issued by Canadian health officials Friday.

The 15 cases have occurred in Alberta (7), Newfoundland and Labrador (1), Quebec (4) and British Columbia (3). One of the BC victims was a visitor to Canada, notes the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which issued Friday’s outbreak update.

This news comes a day after the XL Foods Alberta plant – the source of the contamination – waspartially reopened after being shut down for over a week.

The potentially contaminated beef products from the company were processed on August 24th, 27th, 28th, 29th and September 5th. Beef products manufactured after that time are not thought to be at risk of contamination.

The XL Foods recall – the largest in Canadian history – has been expanded 16 times since it was first issued September 16 after testing by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of E. coli in the company’s ground beef product at the Canadian border September 3.

A full list of the recalled products is available on CFIA’s website.

Although 2.5 million pounds of the recalled product entered the United States – according to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service – no U.S. illnesses have been linked to beef from XL foods to date, say U.S. health officials.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services reports that it is now investigating 15 cases related to the E. coli outbreak in people who attended the Cleveland County Fair.

As of noon on Friday, 10 children and 5 adults are known to have been sickened inthe outbreak. The county case counts are as follows:

Cleveland – 7 (one was excluded because the individual did not meet the case definition)

Gaston – 5

Lincoln – 3

E. coli:  Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $600 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products.  The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s.  We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.

If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.

No E. coli O157:H7 illnesses have been reported in the U.S. – yet.  Meat from XL has been recalled from these U.S. retailers:

Albertson’s, Baker’s, City Market, Dillon’s, Food 4 Less, Foods Co., Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Haggen Northwest Fresh, Hilander, Jay C, King Soopers, Kroger, Owen’s, Pay Less, QFC, Ralph’s, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Scott’s, Smith’s Stores, TOP Food and Drug and Walmart.

Canada’s Public Health Agency announced yesterday that five more cases of E. coli illnesses have been linked to a massive beef recall involving Alberta’s XL Foods plant. Three cases of E. coli illness were confirmed in Alberta and two others in Quebec. So far, seven of the 10 confirmed E. coli cases were in Alberta, with two cases in Quebec and one case in Newfoundland.  Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is also investigating 13 cases of E. coli O157:H7.  British Columbia authorities are investigating 1 illness.

Health officials said the illnesses stemmed from the same strain of E. coli that has been detected on contaminated beef products processed at the Brooks, XL Foods plant. Officials with the Public Health Agency said the strain of E. coli found at XL Foods, has not been observed in Canada or the United States prior to the tainted beef recall.

Dozens more meat cuts and stores have been added to the recall list, which now contains over 1,500 products and affects retailers across Canada, as well as the U.S.