FDA and California Department of Food and Agriculture Announce Spinach Outbreak Linked to Grass-Fed, Pasture-Raised Beef Farm
Alex Avery
November 2, 2006
Scientists with the FDA and CDFA announced on Thursday that the ranch linked to the spinach E. coli outbreak was not an intensive, feedlot-style beef farm as has been alleged by organic farming activist groups. In fact, the farm – the only one on which E. coli strains matching those that sickened over 200 and killed three people in August and September – raised only grass-fed beef cattle. This is the type of operation that organic activists have falsely claimed is virtually immune to harboring and spreading the deadly O157:H7 strain of E. coli. As the FDA and CDFA scientists explained to reporters, all ruminant animals no matter how they are raised can and do carry and spread E. coli O157:H7.
For questions about the findings, contact Michael Herndon of the FDA Public Affairs at (301)827-6242. Consumers can listen to the entire conference call with reporters from Thursday, October 26, by calling 866-413-9173.
