| This week, Spinach was disappearing from grocery | | | | process.However, there is one strain of E. coli that |
| store shelves faster than free candy at | | | | realease a toxin that can make people ill and in some |
| Halloween.What was the cause? Producers and | | | | cases, such as the very young, the elderly or those |
| grocers were pulling pre packaged Spinach because | | | | with weak immune systems, can cause death. The |
| of an E.coli outbreak.Whos' Affected?As of this | | | | germ is present in uncooked beef, unpasteurized milk |
| writing, the outbreak of E. coli in freshly packaged | | | | and juice, and on raw sprouts and lettuce.The strain |
| Spinach has spread to 19 states. The Spinach in | | | | believed to be the culprit is these latest cases is E. coli |
| question is the fresh pre-packaged type you buy in | | | | 0157:H7 -- a potentially deadly bacterium that causes |
| grocery stores. Also at risk is the Spinach in the | | | | bloody diarrhea and dehydration.What Are The |
| pre-packages salad mixes as well as fresh Spinach | | | | Symptoms?E. coli can cause dehydration, abdominal |
| served at restaurants.The Spinach is believe to have | | | | cramps, severe, often bloody, diarrhea and kidney |
| come from California and contaminated in the field | | | | failure.Many people will overcome E. coli in about 10 |
| prior to packaging according to the Center For | | | | days. However, if you suspect you may have been |
| Disease Control and Prevention. There have been | | | | contaminated, you should visit your doctor for further |
| previous contamination of Spinach and Lettuce grown | | | | test. In some cases, especially with young children and |
| in California.The outbreak has caused 102 people to | | | | older people, they may need to be hospitalized for |
| become ill, 16 of which experienced kidney failure and | | | | kidney failure.Until this latest scare is over and all |
| one fatality as of this writing, a 77 year old lady from | | | | affected produce has been found and eliminated, I plan |
| Wisconsin that died from kidney failure. Wisconsin | | | | on exchanging the Spinach in my salads for something |
| accounts for a third of the reported cases. Other | | | | else. The sad thing is for those of us who love fresh |
| states reporting cases were California, Connecticut, | | | | salads is that E. coli can contaminate other leafy foods |
| Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, | | | | such as lettuce.At this point in time, a Hershey Bar |
| New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, | | | | looks like a safe (albeit diet busting) alternative!Donald |
| Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming, | | | | Lawson is the Webmaster at The Biggest Loser |
| according to the CDC.What Should You Do As A | | | | Forums. A website dedicated to the weight loss |
| Consumer?First, you may want to consider throwing | | | | community and those battling obesity. You can find |
| any pre-packaged or fresh Spinach away, no matter | | | | informative articles, weight loss tools and diet planning |
| which state you live in.Second, The CDC says that | | | | by going to The Biggest Loser Forums. While there, |
| boiling the Spinach may kill the E. coli but that washing it | | | | sign up to become a Charter member on the Forums. |
| thoroughly WILL NOT eliminate of the bacteria.What Is | | | | Also, browse the 50 Weight Loss & Dieting Tips for |
| E. Coli?E. coli is a form of bacteria that commonly lives | | | | information on helping you remain on track to reach |
| in the lower intestines of mammals. It's actually a | | | | your weight loss goal. |
| beneficial bacteria and important in the digestive | | | | |