Consumers More Aware Than Wary Of E. Coli Alert

By Nancy K. Crevier

That can of spinach 1960s cartoon character Popeye glugs down for instant energy might be the best way to partake of the leafy green until federal authorities are able to identify the source of the nationwide outbreak of E. coli linked to fresh spinach from the Salinas Valley region of California.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert to consumers on September 14 of an outbreak of the bacterial infection Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, a strain that can produce severe intestinal distress, diarrhea, and in some instances, death. Young children and the elderly are particularly at risk from E. coli infection.

As of September 18, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had received reports of 114 cases in 21 states. Wisconsin, the source of the initial reports on September 8, had reported the most incidences as of this date.

Fresh spinach produced and packaged under various brand names by Natural Selection Foods LLC was linked to this most recent E. coli outbreak, although investigators remain uncertain if the contamination occurred through handling or farming practices. Tainted irrigation water could infect produce with E. coli bacteria, which is transmitted by feces contamination.

The FDA has advised that until further notice, consumers not eat bagged, fresh spinach, or greens containing fresh spinach until the FDA investigation verifies the safety of fresh spinach products. Because restaurants and food services have come to rely on the ease of bagged produce, the FDA warned that consumers should also be cautious when eating out or at salad bars.

According to Queen Street Big Y assistant produce manager Jeff Vocatura, it could be two to three weeks before the FDA lifts the ban on fresh spinach.

“We have pulled all bagged spinach and products containing spinach at Big Y,” he said, and that includes any loose spinach, which Big Y occasionally stocks. Other bagged greens are not affected by the FDA advisory, he said, and as of early this week, there appeared to be no decrease in the quantity of bagged greens sold at the supermarket. As a matter of fact, sale was steady for the five-for-$10 sale of bagged lettuce that had been scheduled more than a month ago.

Teresa Mich of Monroe wavered on whether to buy bagged greens while shopping at Big Y on September 19. The bagged greens are a better buy for a single person like herself, she said, but she worried that not just spinach had been affected by the E. coli outbreak. “I pick [the bag of lettuce] up, and I put it down. But even the loose lettuce, you don’t know where it has been grown,” she said. In the end, she opted to purchase the bag of salad. “I’ll make sure to wash it good,” she said.

Newtown resident Sara D’Amico was also shopping for produce on Tuesday, and purchases bagged greens regularly, she said. “[The advisory against buying spinach] doesn’t affect what I’ll buy,” she said. “An outbreak happens every once in awhile, and I don’t worry about it. I’m just extra careful, making sure I rinse it well when I get it home.”

At the Sandy Hook Organic Farmers’ Market on Tuesday afternoon, Patrick Horan, co-owner of Waldingfield Farm in Washington fielded light-hearted banter and serious spinach questions from his customers as he did a brisk trade in bagged field greens.

“There’s no spinach in this mix, right?” Sue Workman questioned Mr Horan as he handed her greens freshly scooped from the tabletop crate. Receiving a negative to that question, she noted to him that she had tossed out a large quantity of spinach she had cooked and stored recently.

“I feel better buying at the organic market,” said Ms Workman, as she continued her shopping.

Both Mr Horan and Jim Shortt, owner of Shortt’s Organic Farm on Riverside Road, commented that it is surprising that problems such as the E. coli contaminated spinach do not crop up more frequently, when the quantity of greens sold nationwide is considered.

“I feel badly for the people who got sick and I wouldn’t want to get sick, myself,” said Mr Shortt, “but it really is a very small number [of people affected] when you look at how much spinach is sold.”

Spinach is more of a spring or late fall crop in Connecticut, said Mr Shortt and Mr Horan. Both farmers have raised spinach in past seasons, but it is the other greens — collards, kale, chard, and lettuce blends — that are their big sellers. Neither of the men felt that this E. coli incident would affect their sales one way or the other.

Connecticut Department of Agriculture commissioner Bob Pellagrino agreed with the organic farmers’ assessment of the situation.

“[The E. coli outbreak in spinach] is not a good thing or a bad thing for Connecticut farmers. Spinach and greens are not a big crop here in Connecticut. You might see a slight increase in people seeking locally grown lettuce, escarole, that sort of thing, but overall you probably will not see a big change in the habits of people buying bagged greens,” he said.

Who will get hurt, said Mr Pellagrino, are the supermarkets. Based on past experiences, Mr Pellagrino predicted that major chains and restaurants would experience a decline in sales for the next several weeks. However, he added, “Connecticut consumers can buy local products in the major stores with confidence that the in-state produce is most likely safe. It has been proven over time that Connecticut produce is fine,” he said.

Customers at Super Stop & Shop continued to freely buy bagged greens on Tuesday afternoon, secure in knowing that any spinach and spinach mixes had been removed from the shelves. Kevin Clark of Newtown perused the produce section without worry, saying the he planned to go on buying as usual.

“I just check the lettuce mix to make sure it’s spinach-free,” he said. “I never really purchased bagged spinach, anyway.”

Faith Weiner, the director of public affairs for Stop & Shop supermarkets, summed it up.

“No, I don’t think there will be any decrease in sales of bagged products. Customers are smart and aware of the news,” she said in a conversation Tuesday afternoon. “Stop & Shop will continue to update consumers as information is received from the FDA and signage in the stores will keep customers informed,” she said.