Report: E. coli on rise again

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. food safety officials say the potential for dangerous E. coli bacteria is on the rise in spinach and other fresh foods, a report said.

Since 2006, when an E. coli outbreak in spinach swept the nation, outbreaks of the bacteria have become more varied, in large part because of the growing appetite for raw fruits and vegetables, which can harbor dangerous bacteria, HealthDay, reported in a syndicated story appearing in USA Today..

In the last two years, various pathogens in food have killed at least three people, sickened more than 1,300 others and touched nearly every state in the country as well as Canada, HealthDay reported.

The problem is difficult to police because the food-surveillance system is outdated, underfunded and overwhelmed by the emergence of mega-farms, mega-distribution centers and mega-transporters, HealthDay said.

"Before, it was just bad produce coming from one farm," said Michael Hansen, a senior scientist with Consumers Union.