FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 15, 2006

HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN RESIDENTS NOT TO EAT BAGGED SPINACH

The Westchester County Department of Health today urged residents to follow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendation not to eat bagged fresh spinach.

The FDA has issued an alert to consumers about an outbreak of E.coli illness in multiple states that may be associated with the consumption of bagged fresh spinach.

“Although there have been no confirmed illnesses in Westchester County to date related to bagged spinach, there is uncertainty over the origin of the tainted spinach. While the investigation continues, it is prudent to follow the FDA recommendations about not eating fresh bagged spinach,” said Dr. Joshua Lipsman, Commissioner of Health.

At this time, the investigation is ongoing and states that have reported illnesses include Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Ohio.

E. coli O157:H7 can cause severe, bloody diarrhea, kidney failure and even death. Most cases of E. coli O157:H7 have been traced to undercooked ground meat. E. coli are a broad group of bacteria that live in the intestinal tract of healthy people and animals. Most of the bacteria are harmless and play an essential role in absorbing certain vitamins, but a few strains of E. coli are responsible for serious food-borne infections.

For more information on E. coli, call the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 or visit www.westchestergov.com/health.

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