E coli outbreak forces action in Florida

Florida's grocers are recalling fresh-bagged spinach by order of the Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Department.

Commissioner Charles H. Bronson's order comes in the wake of a U.S. Food and Drug administration warning, advising consumers throughout the country to avoid eating the product because of its association with approximately 50 cases of E. coli in eight states. While no reported illnesses have occurred in Florida, the warning is nationwide.

Inspectors from the department's Food Safety Division are on the lookout for the product while they are out performing their routine sanitation inspections of food stores. If any such product is found, inspectors will notify store personnel of the FDA warning.

Most of Florida's major supermarket chains already have removed fresh-bagged spinach from their stores, but it is unclear whether some of the state's smaller grocery stores have received the word from FDA and have pulled the product from their produce aisles.

E. coli causes serious gastrointestinal problems. Most healthy adults recover from the ailment within a week, although people at highest risk - the very young, old and those with compromised immune systems -- can develop a form of kidney failure which can be fatal.

The federal government is continuing its investigation of the outbreak to determine the source of the bad spinach, a release said.