Jump to content
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

E-coli On Raw Bagged Spinach


GFBetsy

Recommended Posts

GFBetsy Rookie

Hey -

Heard on the news that there have been about 50 cases of E-Coli in the US traced back (apparently) to raw, bagged spinach. They aren't sure which brand yet, or even if the contamination is still going on, but they decided to release the information just in case. ("They" being the CDC, I think.)

Anyway, just a heads-up. The said on the news that it should be okay to eat it cooked, just not raw (for salads, etc.)


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



Guest ~jules~
Hey -

Heard on the news that there have been about 50 cases of E-Coli in the US traced back (apparently) to raw, bagged spinach. They aren't sure which brand yet, or even if the contamination is still going on, but they decided to release the information just in case. ("They" being the CDC, I think.)

Anyway, just a heads-up. The said on the news that it should be okay to eat it cooked, just not raw (for salads, etc.)

Ya I saw that on my local news tonight around 5 p.m. I guess someone from Oregon passed away because of it, so everyone watch the spinach.....

AndreaB Contributor

I've had raw spinach this week. I believe it's organic, but it is bagged.

bluejeangirl Contributor

A person died from Wisconsin and they are telling us to throw all bagged spinach out. I eat spinach every week but get the stuff in the plastic containers. I'm not sure if its any safer. There's no way I can handle having e-coli in my gut. I'm to immune deficient. I'm wondering if frozen spinach is safer? Any comments?

Gail

VydorScope Proficient

Heres a ton of news on it....

Open Original Shared Link

jenvan Collaborator

Yeah, I've been eating it all week and am finishing the bag off today ! :huh:

cgilsing Enthusiast

Whoa! Thanks for the info! I was going to make a spinach quiche tonight! I'll make sure the spinach is well done! :D


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



tiredofdoctors Enthusiast

Our local news just said that there are several people here who are very sick from the spinach . . . . .

skinnyminny Enthusiast

I ate spinach yesterday...bagged dole spinach that is I am scared now how long will it take to know if I have it?

skinnyminny Enthusiast

I am a hypocandriac or however you spell that but I have been eating spinach 3 days this week and my tummy is hurting, I hope there is no relation.

pinkpei77 Contributor

hhmmm.. i eat organic local grown spinach here in vermont.

im sure thats safe... what do you guys think?

AndreaB Contributor

Skinnyminny,

I don't know, I don't know what the symptoms are. :(

I just threw out our bagged organic spinach. I had eaten a little of one bag a couple days ago. I figured organic would probably be safe but we didn't want to take any chances. I also threw out the stuff that was in the bin with the spinach and washed the bin with hot sudsy water.

jerseyangel Proficient

On my local news, just a couple minutes ago, they said that even if the affected spinach was re-washed, it probably wouldn't have done any good because it (e-coli) was embedded in the leaves.

I'm thinking about the fact that I eat bagged salad almost every day. I don't wash it--but even if I did, maybe it wouldn't do any good.

I may go back to buying the whole heads of lettuces and wash them myself.

Does anyone have any thoughts about the safety of the bagged greens, in general? The bagged salads are just so convenient, and dry :D

AndreaB Contributor

As far as I know the bagged salads aren't a problem, just the bagged spinach.

jerseyangel Proficient
As far as I know the bagged salads aren't a problem, just the bagged spinach.

I know they aren't connected to this outbreak--I was kind of thinking out loud :)

2kids4me Contributor

Found this bit of info

Enterotoxigenic E.coli bacteria spread in contaminated food — including raw fruits and vegetables, raw seafood, and unpasteurized dairy products — and in contaminated water. Signs and symptoms, which include watery diarrhea and abdominal cramping, usually last just a few days. The infection normally clears on its own without treatment, and most adults and children have no lasting ill effects.

But E. coli O157:H7 is different. It produces a toxin that damages the lining of the small intestine, leading to intense abdominal cramps and severe, bloody diarrhea. You may have 10 or more bowel movements a day, some consisting almost entirely of blood. The marked loss of fluids and electrolytes causes dehydration and fatigue.

Nevertheless, many people recover completely from the infection in five to 10 days. But others, especially older adults, children under the age of 5 and people with weakened immune systems, may develop a serious complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome. This syndrome damages the lining of the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys, sometimes leading to kidney failure.

Even with the best of care, including blood and platelet transfusions and kidney dialysis, a few children die every year of hemolytic uremic syndrome. Others may have lifelong kidney problems or require long-term dialysis. Still others develop further complications such as high blood pressure, seizures, blindness and paralysis.

Open Original Shared Link

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday in steering people away from fresh bagged spinach from the United States because of possible E. coli contamination.

"We're advising Canadian consumers not to eat bagged fresh spinach from the United States," said Rene Cardinal, spokesman for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

One person died and more than 40 people got sick after eating suspected contaminated fresh bagged spinach in the United States. Cardinal said the spinach should not even be eaten cooked.[

Kat-Kat Newbie
hhmmm.. i eat organic local grown spinach here in vermont.

im sure thats safe... what do you guys think?

You are more than likely safe . I am from the farm land What I understand is, the big problem comes from the bag they should not put it in those bags that does not make it safe or better for us. Moisture makes a slime if you feel that trash it and wash your hands right then. The same thing goes for bagged salads, not safe you should ask when you go out to eat. This come from my Doctor to.

bluejeangirl Contributor

Today I was at a large grocery store here in WI. and noticed that all the spinach was gone except the organic in the clear tubs. So just to be sure I asked if these have been safe. He told me the organic is not on the list (the brand they sell is Newmans) of banned spinach. He told me that they knew spinach was causing problems since late august but they weren't told to remove until it hit the news. Sheesh I couldn't believe that.

Gail

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - trents replied to JudyLou's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

    2. - JudyLou posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      Seeking advice on potential gluten challenge

    3. - marzian commented on Scott Adams's article in Diagnosis, Testing & Treatment
      5

      A Future Beyond the Gluten-Free Diet? Scientists Test a New Cell Therapy for Celiac Disease (+Video)

    4. - Jmartes71 posted a topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      0

      Medications

    5. - Scott Adams replied to GlutenFreeChef's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      11

      Blood Test for Celiac wheat type matters?

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,136
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    GFTom
    Newest Member
    GFTom
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):
  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @JudyLou! There are a couple of things you might consider to help you in your decision that would not require you to do a gluten challenge. The first, that is if you have not had this test run already, is to request a "total IGA" test to be run. One of the reasons that celiac blood antibody tests can be negative, apart from not having celiac disease, that is, is because of IGA deficiency. If a person is IGA deficient, they will not respond accurately to the celiac disease blood antibody tests (such as the commonly run TTG-IGA). The total IGA test is designed to check for IGA deficiency. The total IGA test is not a celiac antibody test so I wouldn't think that a gluten challenge is necessary. The second is to have genetic testing done to determine if you have the genetic potential to develop celiac disease. About 30-40% of  the general population have the genetic potential but only about 1% actually develop celiac disease. So, genetic testing cannot be used to diagnose celiac disease but it can be used to rule it out. Those who don't have the genetic potential but still have reaction to gluten would not be diagnosed with celiac disease but with NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity).  Another possibility is that you do have celiac disease but are in remission. We do see this but often it doesn't last.
    • JudyLou
      Hi there, I’m debating whether to consider a gluten challenge and I’m hoping someone here can help with that decision (so far, none of the doctors have been helpful). I have a history of breaking out in a horrible, burning/itchy somewhat blistering rash about every 8 years. This started when I was in my early 30’s and at that point it started at the ankles and went about to my knees. Every time I had the rash it would cover more of my body, so my arms and part of my torso were impacted as well, and it was always symmetrical. First I was told it was an allergic reaction to a bug bite. Next I was told it was eczema (after a biopsy of the lesion - not the skin near the lesion) and given a steroid injection (didn’t help). I took myself off of gluten about 3 weeks before seeing an allergist, just to see if it would help (it didn’t in that time period). He thought the rash looked like dermatitis herpetiformis and told me to eat some bread the night before my blood tests, which I did, and the tests came back negative. I’ve since learned from this forum that I needed to be eating gluten daily for at least a month in order to get an accurate test result. I’m grateful to the allergist as he found that 5 mg of doxepin daily will eliminate the rash within about 10 days (previously it lasted for months whether I was eating gluten or not). I have been gluten free for about 25 years as a precaution and recommendation from my doctor, and the pattern of breaking out every 8 years or so remains the same except once I broke out after just one year (was not glutened as far as I know), and now it’s been over 9 years. What’s confusing to me, is that there have been 3 times in the past 2 years when I’ve accidentally eaten gluten, and I haven’t had any reaction at all. Once someone made pancakes (they said they were gluten-free, they were not) and I ate several. I need to decide whether to do a gluten challenge and get another blood test. If I do, are these tests really accurate? I’m also concerned that I could damage my gut in that process if I do have celiac disease. My brother and cousin both had lymphoma so that’s a concern regarding a challenge as well, though there is a lot of cancer in various forms in my family so there may be no gluten connection there. Sorry for the ramble, I’m just doubting the need to remain gluten free if I don’t have any reaction to eating it and haven’t had a positive test (other than testing positive for one of the genes, though it sounds like that’s pretty common). I’d appreciate any thoughts or advice! 
    • Jmartes71
      Hello, just popped in my head to ask this question about medications and celiac? I have always had refurse reaction to meds since I can remember  of what little meds my body is able to tolerate. I was taking gabapentin 300mg for a week,  in past I believe 150? Any ways it amps me up not able to sleep, though very tired.However I did notice it helped with my bloating sibo belly.I hate that my body is that sensitive and medical doesn't seem to take seriously. Im STILL healing with my skin, eye, and now ms or meningioma ( will know in April  which)and dealing with this limbo nightmare. I did write my name, address ect on the reclamation but im not tech savvy and not sure if went through properly. I called my city representative in Stanislaus County and asked if theres a physical paper i can sign for proclamation for celiac and she had no clue about what I was saying, so I just said I'll go back on website. 
    • Scott Adams
      I'm not saying that some celiacs won't need it, but it should be done under a doctor's supervision because it can cause lots of problems in some people.
    • Jmartes71
      I also noticed I get debilitating migraines when I smell gluten, wheat and its not taken seriously when it affects one in every way.Im still begging to properly be heard.I also noticed tolerance level is down the drain with age and life changes. I have been told by incompetent medical that im not celiac or that sensitive. Diagnosed in 1994 by gi biopsy gluten-free ever since along with other lovely food allergies. Prayers
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.