ROCKVILLE, Md., Sept. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. food retailers, reacting to an E. coli outbreak, pulled spinach from shelves and salad bars as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration extended a warning.
The FDA warned consumers not to eat packaged spinach, packaged salad products containing spinach and spinach at restaurant salad bars, the Washington Post said Saturday.
Officials searched for the exact source of the contamination that has sickened nearly 100 people in 20 states. One victim in Wisconsin died.
San Juan Bautista, Calif., -based Natural Selection Foods, known for its Earthbound Farm brand, was linked to the tainted spinach. On Friday, it recalled all its fresh spinach products and packaged salads.
An FDA food safety official said no E. coli bacteria has been isolated from the Natural Selection's products and that recalls could extend to other companies, the Post said. Earthbound Farm said it was assisting authorities in their investigation.
The E. coli causes diarrhea, often bloody. The bacteria can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome, a form of kidney failure, in children and the elderly, resulting in kidney damage and possible death.
