Another packager recalled three brands of its fresh spinach products Sunday as a widening national \o7E. coli \f7outbreak was linked to seven more illnesses and left spinach farmers and vendors with wasted crops and empty shelves.
The number of confirmed \o7E. coli \f7cases associated with spinach rose to 109 people in 19 states; 55 victims have been hospitalized and a 77-year-old woman died in Wisconsin on Sept. 7.
"This is unquestionably a significant outbreak," said Dr. David Acheson, chief medical officer of the FDA's food safety division. "It is certainly one of the larger ones in the United States; there's no question about that."
Salinas-based River Ranch Fresh Foods, one of the nation's top five produce processors, was recalling three of its spring mix salad brands Sunday that include spinach: Farmers Market, Hy Vee, and Fresh and Easy, Acheson said in a conference call.
Robert Jenkins, president and chief executive of River Ranch, said Sunday evening he was confident that the source of the contamination will be found. "We are not aware of any illnesses that have been linked to the consumption of spring mix," he said. "We're obviously very supportive of the work the FDA is doing."
The River Ranch products were distributed to customers in Iowa, Texas and New Mexico.
"I'm confident we're going to figure this one out. There's just too much talent, too many people, not to figure this out and regain the confidence of consumers," Jenkins said.
The company buys in bulk from Natural Selection Foods, one of the nation's largest producers of organic produce. Since last week, Natural Selection has been the primary focus of the investigation into the source of the outbreak, because many of those sickened apparently ate its packaged spinach. However, \o7E. coli \f7has not been found in the company's bags of spinach, and health officials have said others could be implicated. Natural Selection issued its own recall of 31 brand names.
The recalls come as the FDA has warned consumers not to eat any fresh spinach or products containing it until further notice. Erring on the side of caution, officials did not recommend cooking the fresh greens. Canned and frozen spinach are not included in the warning.
Acheson said the number of illnesses could climb this week as labs continue testing for the \o7E. coli \f7strain known as O157:H7. The particularly virulent strain can cause bloody diarrhea and cramps and can trigger a rare complication leading to kidney failure.
