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                Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness

Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness

                        Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
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                        Foodborne Pathogens Home
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          Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness
          Outbreak Investigation of E. Coli O157:H7 - Spinach (November 2021)Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation of E. Coli O157:H7 - Spinach (November 2021)
  
  					FDA’s investigation is complete. CDC declares outbreak over.
	
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    PrintThe FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated illnesses in a multistate outbreak of *E. coli* O157:H7. As of January 6, 2022, CDC declared this outbreak over.

FDA traced the supply chain for this positive product sample and deployed investigators to three farms in two separate states: California and Oregon. FDA conducted inspections, including sample collection and analysis, but inspections were limited because at the time the fields were fallow and no production activities were being conducted for spinach at any of the three farms. All samples collected were reported negative and no source or direct routes of contamination to the suspected spinach were found during the inspections. Investigators did report that one location processes product and sometimes uses product from multiple growers in one production run. This type of product co-mingling is not uncommon; but continues to present challenges for traceback investigations of foodborne outbreaks.

Recommendation

CDC announced the outbreak is over. There are no recommendations for consumers, retailers, or suppliers.


Case Count Map Provided by CDC

Outbreak Investigation of E. Coli O157:H7 in Spinach: Case Count Map Provided by CDC (January 6, 2022)
Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 15
Hospitalizations: 4
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: November 8, 2021
States with Cases: CA (1), IA (1), IN (4), MI (1), MN (2), MO (1), NE (1), OH (1), PA (1) SD (2)
Useful Links

Food Safety Tips for Retailers and Consumers During an Outbreak
	Food Safety Resources for Produce Shippers and Carriers During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak
	Who to Contact
	What is *E. coli*?
	CDC Food Safety Alert


Product Images

Outbreak Investigation of E. Coli O157:H7 in Spinach (November 2021): Sample Image of Josie's Organics Baby Spinach
Previous Updates

**December 2, 2021**

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of *E. coli* O157:H7. According to the CDC, as of November 15, 2021, 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of *E. coli* O157:H7 have been reported from seven states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 15 to October 27, 2021. Five people in this outbreak report eating spinach in the week before becoming sick and one person reported Josie’s Organics brand.

On November 15, 2021, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture reported that, as part of this outbreak investigation, a sample of Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach collected from the home of an ill person tested positive for *E. coli* O157:H7. This sample had a “Best If Used By” date of October 23, 2021. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis determined that the strain of *E. coli* O157:H7 present in the product sample matches the outbreak strain.

FDA traced the supply chain for this positive product sample back to a small number of farms in two different geographic regions and deployed Investigators along the supply chains of interest. FDA continues tracing back reported spinach exposures to identify if spinach from additional farms could have been implicated.

FDA and state partners are working with the firm to determine if additional products could be affected. This is an ongoing investigation and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

**November 16, 2021**

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of *E. coli* O157:H7. According to the CDC, as of November 15, 2021, 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of *E. coli* O157:H7 have been reported from 7 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 15 to October 27, 2021. Five people in this outbreak report eating spinach in the week before becoming sick and one person reported Josie’s Organics brand.

On November 15, 2021, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture reported that, as part of this outbreak investigation, a sample of Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach collected from the home of an ill person tested positive for *E. coli* O157:H7. This sample had a “Best If Used By” date of October 23, 2021 and is undergoing Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis to determine if the strain of *E. coli* O157:H7 present in the product sample matches the outbreak strain.

As WGS analysis of the sample is underway, FDA is tracing back the supply of the baby spinach in the positive product sample. Thus far, FDA has traced supply chains for this product back to a small number of farms in two different geographic regions and is deploying investigators along the supply chains of interest.

FDA and state partners are working with the firm to determine if additional products could be affected. This is an ongoing investigation and additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Who to Contact

**Consumers who have symptoms**should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a **complaint**or **adverse event**(illness or serious allergic reaction), you can

Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinatorif you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.
	Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online.
	Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to FDA.Submit Questions/Get Assistance

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                                                                                  Content current as of:
      01/06/2022
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesTopic(s)
			  OutbreakOutbreaks of Foodborne Illness

          
                        Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Public Health Advisories from Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Food Safety Tips for Consumers & Retailers During an Outbreak of Foodborne Illness
          Food Safety Resources for Produce Shippers and Carriers During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak
          Outbreak Investigation Reports
          How to Report Seafood-Related Toxin and Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning Illnesses
          About the CORE Network
          CORE Annual Reports
          CORE Publications


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