Spinach alert

[willie]

The more I think about this, the more it REALLY PISSES ME OFF! I think I should probably not research the answer to my question:

Is the e.Coli cultivating in what the spinach is growing in? Unintended contamination...

or -

Is the e.Coli being dumped on (pun intended) the growing crops by field hands?

One of the theory's is the irrigation water was contaminated. On a large scale, that makes sense.

 

[desertrat]

Also, have you ever seen a "wash hands before returning to work" sign in a portapotty?

 

[desertrat]

One of the theory's is the irrigation water was contaminated. On a large scale, that makes sense.

Sewage spill in the Mighty Colorado?

 

[virgovictoria]

:heavysigh:

 

[desertrat]

One of the theory's is the irrigation water was contaminated. On a large scale, that makes sense.

It would be weird that it would be only spinach if it was irrigation water unless it was one ditch leading to one field that was contaminated. How about the water they use to wash it off once it has been brought to the sheds? Do they do that? Maybe improperly "cooked" sludge?

 

[greyhound]

It would be weird that it would be only spinach if it was irrigation water unless it was one ditch leading to one field that was contaminated. How about the water they use to wash it off once it has been brought to the sheds? Do they do that? Maybe improperly "cooked" sludge?

E-Coli can enter a plant through the roots when the ground is contaminated.
Washing the plant will do nothing to rid the E-Coli.

 

[desertrat]

E-Coli can enter a plant through the roots when the ground is contaminated.
Washing the plant will do nothing to rid the E-Coli.

Didn't say they were washing it to get rid of the e-coli. Just that perhaps that's how it got contaminated.

 

[greyhound]

Didn't say they were washing it to get rid of the e-coli. Just that perhaps that's how it got contaminated.

I know...I just heard a Dr. from NIH talking about it on the news and thought I'd share the info.

I'm assuming that well cooked spinach would be ok to eat?

 

[desertrat]

I know...I just heard a Dr. from NIH talking about it on the news and thought I'd share the info.

I'm assuming that well cooked spinach would be ok to eat?

That's what they say to do with hamburger so I guess so. They also say if you scrub it it will come off, but I wouldn't trust that method. Boiling water should kill the bacteria.

 

[itsbob]

I'm assuming that well cooked spinach would be ok to eat?

Try it, they have phones in hospital rooms so you can call in and tell us how it went..

 

[desertrat]

Try it, they have phones in hospital rooms so you can call in and tell us how it went..

That was a $hitty thing to say.

 

[greyhound]

Try it, they have phones in hospital rooms so you can call in and tell us how it went..

I was hoping maybe you would be our test subject.....

 

[jazz lady]

Tainted spinach traced to California

WASHINGTON - A California natural foods company was linked Friday to a nationwide bacterial outbreak that has killed one person and sickened nearly 100 others.

Food and Drug Administration officials said Friday that they had received reports of illness in about 20 states.

The outbreak was traced to Natural Selection Foods, based in San Juan Bautista, Calif., and the company has voluntarily recalled products containing spinach.

FDA officials stressed that the bacteria had not been isolated in products sold by Natural Selection Foods but that the link was established by patient accounts of what they had eaten before becoming ill.

Does cooking spinach destroy the bacteria?

Washington Post Food section columnist Robert Wolke, professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, says all parts of the leafy green would have to be heated to a temperature of 160 degrees and held at that temperature for at least a couple of minutes. There's no easy way to check for consistent temperature, and people just don't like to cook fresh spinach that long.

Because "a ridiculously low number of bacteria, estimated to be as few as 10, is enough to cause illness," Wolke said in an e-mail, "even cooking can be risky. Best to throw the stuff out -- and wash your hands well if you have handled it."

And I love, love, LOVE fresh spinach.

 

[Pete]

And I love, love, LOVE fresh spinach.

Well eat it then. Save some time by eating it while you sit on the crapper.

 

[desertrat]

Well eat it then. Save some time by eating it while you sit on the crapper.

Or you could wipe.. oh never mind.