FDA Links Manure to E. coli Outbreak

[The Sushi Bandit]

http://www.gourmetretailer.com/gourmetretailer/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003255615

OCTOBER 17, 2006 -- Investigators seeking the source of contamination in a nationwide E. coli O157:H7 outbreak have genetically matched the strain with manure from a California cattle ranch located near spinach fields, reports Progressive Grocer.

In a statement issued late last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the investigation points to one infected lot of contaminated spinach that contained spinach from fields on four different farms. Samples of cattle feces on one of the implicated ranches tested positive based on matching genetic fingerprints for the same strain of E. coli that sickened 199 people.

The trace-back investigation was narrowed from nine farms to four; the suspect farms are located in Monterey and San Benito counties. Testing continues of other environmental samples from all four ranches that supplied the implicated lot of contaminated spinach.

The FDA's positive test result is a significant finding, but is just one aspect of the investigation. "While the focus of this outbreak has narrowed to these four fields, the history of E coli O157:H7 outbreaks linked to leafy greens indicates an ongoing problem," the FDA said.

[Megahurtz]

1. Well Shit!

:+

[whistle]

2. Please clarify, was it a Republican California cattle ranch that

...provided the E.coli infested manure to spread over the spinach fields?

[AnneD]

5. That's...

what I herd.

It could just be a rummmoooor.

[Xipe Totec]

3. This is old Moos

:hide:

[Spinzonner]

4. I'll have to ruminate over that one a bit

[Warpy]

6. It's non composted manure that causes the problem

A year out, mixed with vegetable matter and allowed to compost, manure is safe to use on salad veggies.

These guys were trying to save a few bucks by spreading raw liquefied manure on salad crops, a BIG nono. You can get away with it on grain and legume crops that will be cooked, but not on crops that will be eaten raw. Their fields will likely have to be turned over to non foodstuffs or grains and legumes for a couple of years before they're able to grow salad greens.

Fertilizing with raw manure and human waste is how they do it in the far east and in some other third world countries, and why food and water have to be boiled before they're consumed.

[AnneD]

7. Organic veggies..

yield a premium price. It is very tempting to cut corners-but scandals like this will kill the industry.

[LiberalEsto]

9. Mmmmmm, boiled salad!

I loooooove well-boiled lettuce, doesn't everyone?

[endarkenment]

10. My personal favorite.

Steamed apples are good.

[AnneD]

12. I think it's called

wilted salad. Mom made it every now and again. It really was good.

[endarkenment]

8. Who cud of thought that?

[The Sushi Bandit]

11. Why was this topic moved from LBN???

it was hot off the press????

[The Sushi Bandit]

13. Again Mods.. .. why was this moved from LBN??

it was hot off the press!!!