Spinach returns to stores as investigation narrows
Spinach returns to stores as investigation narrows
WASHINGTON -- With the investigation narrowed to one fresh spinach processor, the Food & Drug Administration announced Sept. 29 that it cleared spinach for sale with the exception of bags that were part of several recalls.
All spinach implicated in the current outbreak has been traced back to Natural Selection Foods LLC of San Juan Bautista, CA, said FDA. The agency gave new advice to retailers and foodservice companies not to sell raw spinach or blends that may contain spinach processed by Natural Selection Foods and other brands involved in the recall. Health authorities have collected 10 confirmed product samples that contain the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak strain.
In a joint press release, the Grower Shipper Association of Central California, United Fresh Produce Association, Produce Marketing Association and the Western Growers Association said they have been working with FDA and state regulatory agencies "to learn everything we can from this outbreak and work as one industry to enhance food safety safeguards to protect the public health. We are already working together on a comprehensive plan to strengthen our existing food safety systems in a renewed effort to prevent future outbreaks."
Federal and California regulators expect the industry to develop a comprehensive plan which is designed to minimize the risk of another outbreak due to E. coli O157:H7 in spinach grown in central California, said FDA's press statement. The industry is working on a plan that is likely to include preharvest inspections in the field, high-level sanitation at the processing plants, and raw material testing.
Implementation of these plans will be voluntary, said FDA, but authorities are not excluding the possibility of regulatory requirements in the future. FDA said it plans to hold a public meeting to address the larger issue of foodborne illness linked to leafy greens later in the year once the current investigation is complete.
The industry also praised Natural Selection Foods for paying the medical costs of the affected families.
On Sept. 28, the company announced that growers which supply the company with fresh-cut produce will need to meet new food-safety measures. Under the new food-safety plan, the company will test all of the freshly harvested greens brought to the facility before they enter the production stream. If pathogens are detected, the lot will be discarded.
"This 'firewall' will prevent anything like this E. coli-contaminated produce from ever entering our facilities," said the company.
All spinach implicated in the current outbreak has been traced back to Natural Selection Foods LLC of San Juan Bautista, CA, said FDA. The agency gave new advice to retailers and foodservice companies not to sell raw spinach or blends that may contain spinach processed by Natural Selection Foods and other brands involved in the recall. Health authorities have collected 10 confirmed product samples that contain the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak strain.
In a joint press release, the Grower Shipper Association of Central California, United Fresh Produce Association, Produce Marketing Association and the Western Growers Association said they have been working with FDA and state regulatory agencies "to learn everything we can from this outbreak and work as one industry to enhance food safety safeguards to protect the public health. We are already working together on a comprehensive plan to strengthen our existing food safety systems in a renewed effort to prevent future outbreaks."
Federal and California regulators expect the industry to develop a comprehensive plan which is designed to minimize the risk of another outbreak due to E. coli O157:H7 in spinach grown in central California, said FDA's press statement. The industry is working on a plan that is likely to include preharvest inspections in the field, high-level sanitation at the processing plants, and raw material testing.
Implementation of these plans will be voluntary, said FDA, but authorities are not excluding the possibility of regulatory requirements in the future. FDA said it plans to hold a public meeting to address the larger issue of foodborne illness linked to leafy greens later in the year once the current investigation is complete.
The industry also praised Natural Selection Foods for paying the medical costs of the affected families.
On Sept. 28, the company announced that growers which supply the company with fresh-cut produce will need to meet new food-safety measures. Under the new food-safety plan, the company will test all of the freshly harvested greens brought to the facility before they enter the production stream. If pathogens are detected, the lot will be discarded.
"This 'firewall' will prevent anything like this E. coli-contaminated produce from ever entering our facilities," said the company.
