Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in E. coli,Our Blog,Outbreaks & Recalls on October 21, 2025
E. coli in spinach. Sound familiar? Several Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain outbreaks have been linked to this healthy leafy green over the years. In fact, a recurrent strain has plagued the country for nearly 10 years.
How do you get E. coli in spinach? Why is spinach so vulnerable? How do you know if you have an E. coli infection? Could we see another outbreak of E. coli in spinach soon?
Follow along for the answers to these pressing questions, and more!
Leafy greens have gotten some pretty bad press over the years. Several E. coli outbreaks have been reported linking this deadly infection to this healthy food.
Health experts suggest eating dark leafy greens (like spinach) as part of a healthy diet. But consumers constantly see outbreaks related to this seemingly innocent leaf. A potential turnoff for this staple food.
In fact, there were a total of 32 confirmed or suspected E. coli outbreaks linked to contaminated leafy greens in the United States and Canada between 2009 and 2018.
One large outbreak in 2019 was linked to another leafy green, romaine lettuce. This one was responsible for 167 cases across 27 states. At least 85 people were hospitalized for their illness.
In 2020, 58.1% of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses were traced back to “vegetable row crops.” Including leafy greens/spinach.
Of the 266,000 E. coli illnesses in the United States each year, 97,000 are attributed to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157. This illness is also responsible for 3,370 hospitalizations and 30 deaths each year.
E. coli O157 is generally more serious than their non-O157 counterparts, resulting in more serious symptoms and a rare, but serious complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome.
A recent study found that a genetically similar strain of E. coli emerged in late 2015 has plagued leafy greens into 2020. This strain has shown itself in outbreak data so frequently, it has been classified as a “reoccurring, emerging, or persistent (REP) strain.”
A status that lends special treatment to the germ.
But how do you get E. coli in spinach in the first place?
In general, E. coli in spinach comes from fecal contamination. Healthy cattle are the most common cause of E. coli O157:H7.
How do cattle relate to leafy greens like spinach?
Irrigation water and other contamination.
Most large, agricultural operations are located near other large, agricultural operations. Open land and such. When farm land is located near animal production facilities, downstream contamination can occur. After all, poop is the primary source of E. coli contamination.
But this applies to just about every crop. What makes spinach (and other leafy greens) more vulnerable. As say, compared to corn, potatoes, or other large crops?
There are several key characteristics of leafy greens that make spinach more vulnerable to E. coli contamination. The most obvious being the basic structure of the plant and how it is generally consumed.
While just about all plants take in water through the roots, leafy greens are quite efficient and pulling that water into the leaves.
It is the leaves, after all, that require the most hydration in this type of crop.
Unlike some other types of plants, bacteria present in irrigation water can actually enter the leafy portion of the plant.
That’s right!
It becomes contaminated from the inside out.
No amount of washing, specialized cleaners, or scrubbing techniques will remove E. coli in spinach once it becomes part of the plant.
Which brings us to the second way spinach is more vulnerable to E. coli.
Unlike other plants like corn, potatoes, and squash, spinach and other leafy greens are most often consumed raw.
Of course, there are recipes that include heat boiling, sauteing, and other forms of heat treatment. Salads are some of the more popular consumption methods. Where the plant is commonly consumed raw.
With all of these risks, how do you know if you have an E. coli infection?
The symptoms of E. coli infections can vary from mild to severe. Most people begin feeling sick around three to four days after exposure. However, some may begin feeling sick as early as one day or as late as 10 days or more after eating contaminated food.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Normally healthy people generally recover from E. coli infection within five to seven days. Some people, on the other hand, may experience other complications. These complications may lead to hospitalization or even death.
The elderly, young children (under five years), and those with a weakened immune system may experience more severe illness or develop serious complications. Complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS.
HUS, is a rare, but serious health condition that can develop after becoming sick with a toxin-producing bacteria like E. coli.
This complication develops when toxins rupture blood cells. These ruptured bloods cells clog the filtering aspects of the kidney. This can result in kidney failure and cause other downstream negative health effects.
People with HUS require hospitalization and monitoring to prevent further damage.
Symptoms to look out for include decreased urination, paleness in cheeks and inside of lower eyelids, and fatigue.
If you have been sick with symptoms consistent with E. coli infection and begin experiencing these HUS symptoms, get medical help right away!
Could we see another outbreak of E. coli in spinach soon?
Possibly?
Many of these outbreaks have historically taken place in the fall. As the season approaches, stay vigilant and keep yp with product recalls.
If you have symptoms consistent with an E. coli infection, you may be wondering what you can do to help.
Even if your symptoms are mild, it is still a good idea to report your illness to your local health department. This can help investigators get a better picture of the scope of the potential E. coli outbreak.
They may ask you questions about your symptoms, what and where you have eaten in the past few weeks, and other supporting information. So have that information handy.
If you have been seriously impacted by this outbreak, it is a good idea to get advice from an experienced E. coli lawyer.
If you have become seriously ill with an E. coli infection spinach, leafy greens, or some other contaminated food and wish to make a legal claim for compensation, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has an E. coli lawyer that can help.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has successfully won millions of dollars in products liability and food poisoning cases and they can help you too!
Call (833) 330-3663 or send an email for a free, no obligation consultation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributg writer, non-lawyer)