FDA Announces Investigation of E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Linked to Spinach

According to the CDC, as of Nov. 15, 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from seven states including: Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio and South Dakota. Illnesses started on dates ranging from Oct. 15 to Oct. 27. Five people in this outbreak reported eating spinach in the week before becoming sick, and one person reported eating Josie's Organics brand.

On Nov. 15, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture reported that as part of this outbreak investigation, a sample of Josie's Organics Baby Spinach was collected from the home of an ill person and the sample tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. This sample had a "Best If Used By" date of Oct. 23 and is undergoing whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis to determine if the strain of E. coli O157:H7 present in the product sample matches the outbreak strain.

Consumers, restaurants and retailers should not eat, sell or serve Josie's Organics Baby Spinach with a "Best If Used By" date of Oct. 23, 2021. Josie's Organics Baby Spinach is sold in a clear plastic clamshell with the "Best If Used By" date on the top label.

Although this product is past expiration and should no longer be available for purchase, consumers should check their homes for product and discard it. If consumers froze fresh Josie's Organics Baby Spinach, they should discard it.

Consumers who have symptoms of E.coli infection should contact their health care provider. Most people with E.coli develop severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea and/or vomiting.

The FDA and state partners are working with the firm to determine if additional products could be affected. This is an ongoing investigation and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.