FBI Searches Spinach Plants In E. coli Probe

FBI Searches Spinach Plants In E. coli Probe

POSTED: 2:31 pm EDT October 4, 2006
UPDATED: 2:55 pm EDT October 4, 2006


SALINAS, Calif. -- The FBI searched two spinach packaging companies Wednesday for evidence in the nationwide E. coli outbreak that sickened 192 people.

Agents from the FBI and the Food and Drug Administration used warrants to search the San Juan Bautista plant of Natural Selection Foods LLC and a Growers Express plant in Salinas to determine whether they followed food safety procedures.

Federal health officials said early in their investigation that deliberate contamination was not suspected.


"We are investigating allegations that certain spinach growers and distributors may not have taken all necessary or appropriate steps to ensure that their spinach was safe before they were placed into interstate commerce," U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan said in a statement.

Previous Stories:

* October 4, 2006: Lawmaker Can't Find Spinach To Celebrate Safety
* October 3, 2006: Spinach Outside Recall Now Considered Safe
* October 2, 2006: After Spinach Scare, Growers Examine Industry
* September 30, 2006: Spinach Scare Aside, Food Illnesses At Record Lows
* September 29, 2006: FDA: All But Recalled Spinach Safe To Eat
* September 27, 2006: Stores Begin To Carry Spinach Again
* September 26, 2006: Two Bags Of Spinach May Point To E. coli Source
* September 23, 2006: Five More Illnesses Blamed On Tainted Spinach
* September 22, 2006: Tainted Spinach May Have Killed Toddler
* September 21, 2006: Spinach Recall Widens As E. coli Probe Continues
* September 20, 2006: E. Coli On Spinach May Have Been Extra Potent

BostonChannel.com