August 2006

The Associated Press reported last night that more than 100 people were exposed to E. coli bacteria, possibly from tainted lettuce served at a convention in June, and at least three were confirmed as contracting the disease, according to the Weber-Morgan Health Department.
The health department said “the June 28-30 convention was catered by a local restaurant” but still does not disclose the name of the restaurant.
From the article:

Health department officials first learned of the E. coli outbreak early last week when they received lab reports from a physician who treated one of the infected individuals, she said.
The source of the E. coli appears to have been lettuce that was “cross contaminated,” Hadley said. “The organism was probably transmitted from another food source.”Continue Reading More on the Wendy’s outbreak

We have it on good authority that the restaurant discussed in the Standard-Examiner’s article “Officials mum on E. coli outbreak” may be Wendy’s. The Health Department was expected to confirm in a press conference Friday. Interesting, Wendy’s was implicated in another lettuce-related outbreak in Oregon a few aears ago.
Here is the analysis we did on the prior E. coli outbreak at Wendy’s:Continue Reading Another Wendy’s E. coli Outbreak?

The following Press Release was issued today, This is not the first such release that we have seen over the last dozen years.

Classic Salads of Salinas, CA is voluntarily recalling 4lb., 2lb. and 10 oz. Baby Spinach and 4lb., 3lb., 1.5lb., Spring Mix, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain 12 to 72 hours after infection. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
Baby Spinach/Spring Mix was distributed nationwide, as well as Canada and Japan, to foodservice, institutions and distributors.
Classic Salad’s Baby Spinach and Spring Mix are packed in clear plastic bags with a stamped Lot Code number of 1502XXX indicating that it was processed on July 24th, 2006. Master cartons bear the “Classic Salads”, “Classic Choice”, “Classic Greens”, “Sir Lancelot”, “Taste of the Valley”, “US Fresh” and “Valley Gold” labels and a Pallet ID Number is stamped in black ink on the exterior of the carton that is unique to each pallet. Baby Spinach pack sizes include: 4lb., 2x2lb., 12x10oz. Spring Mix pack sizes include: 5x3lb., 4x3lb., 3lb., 3x1lb., 2×1.5lb., 12x7oz.

Outbreaks associated with lettuce or spinach, specifically the “pre-washed” and “ready-to-eat” varieties sold under various brand and trade names, are by no means a new phenomenon.Continue Reading Classic Salads, LLC. Conducts Nationwide Recalls of Baby Spinach and Spring (Mesclun) Mix Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk