Biological Agents
E. coli kills one in Alabama
By Sue Mueller
Sep 1, 2007 - 10:03:46 AM

Saturday September 1, 2007 (Foodconsumer.org) -- The Alabama Department of Public Health on August 30 issued a statement saying that one person died likely of the E coli outbreak that has sickened at least 26 people in the state.

On another front, spinach produced by Mets Fresh, a king City based grower and shipper, was being recalled as salmonella contamination was found in samples of the spinach.

The Alabama health officials said the E. coli infections were associated with dining at a single restaurant in Madison County between June 26 and 29, 2007.

The officials continue working with the persons affected by E. coli O157:H7 infections, their families and health care provider in North Alabama as part of the food-borne illness investigation coordinated by the Division Epidemiology.

In the case of recalled spinach, Metz Fresh said 90 percent of the 8000 cartons of the affected spinach did not leave its warehouse although some was distributed in the U.S. and Canada.

The recall affects the spinach packaged in 10- and 16-ounce bags, 4-pound cartons, and cartons containing four 2.5-pund bags, all with tracking codes 122008114, 12208214 or 12208314, according to CIDRAP News.