I bought spinach today at the store for my babies, and had intended on feeding it to them tonight, but!

E. coli outbreak in 8 states tied to fresh spinach

The article says bagged spinach (which is what I bought so us humans could also eat it). But anyway, I'm assuming gliders can get E. Coli, so I'm not giving them spinach.

Just thought I'd let you all know. (Just realized that this probably should've gone in Health and Hygiene, so if it should, please move it!)

I really wish I hadn't just eaten that spinach....It came from Subway, so hopefully, its ok.

More and more of our fresh vegetables and fruits are being imported especially from Mexico and South America. For this reason extra care should be taken in washing them all and also sanitizing yourself and anything that comes into contact with them. Some of the pesticides used south of the border will actually penetrate the peels and outer layers of the fruit and vegetables. But a little extra washing is still advised for all of these products.
Charlie H

Glad I hardly ever eat spainch. Maybe your spainch was ok

yes, gliders can get e.coli. Nasty little bug. Also, spinach is high in iron so I don't feed it to my gliders except as a rare treat.

It makes me mad that bagged lettuce, spinach and salads now say there is no need to wash as they are 'double' or triple washed! I wash everything no matter what they say. Who knows if it really was or whos hands touched it last or if the bag it was put into is sterile? UGH It's soo sad someone died and others seriously ill over this. I pray no gliders get sick from it. Honestly, I've never fed it to any of mine due to the iron content.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I know many of us offer it as an occasional treat for our little ones, myself included. As CharlieH stated, much of our produce is now coming from South America/Mexico, and their standards are nowhere near as stringent. Make sure your produce looks fresh, and bagged or not, wash anything you get very well, and allow to air dry (bacteria cannot survive on a dry surface). Peel fruit, cut the ends off grapes and other items that have crevaces(sp?) that bacteria or parasites can "hide" in, and remove any portions that are bruised or too overripe.

I think the last outbreak similar to this was traced back to green onions that were served in a Mexican Restaurant in Ohio. About a year ago several people got E Coli but I do not think there were any deaths.

Because of this danger we mostly feed our gliders frozen vegetables. I realize frozen vegetables is not the ultimate answer for this potential danger but at least they are blanched with hot water before freezing. One of my concerns about the imported produce is the danger of hepatitis.

The main reason for not including spanich in the glider diet is that it is high in oxalate acid. Oxalate acid inhibits the bodies ability to absorb calcium.
Charlie H

Didn't know... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thanx.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/gliderangel.gif" alt="" />

They said on the local news here, that washing infected Spinach wouldn't help.

Eeep! It's reached Kentucky! So far, it's gotten about 100 people in 19 states. It orginated from California.

I don't usually feed spinach, just once in a great while. I'm glad I found out before I gave it to them.

I heard on the news tonight that High Temps would not affect this strain of E-coli.

NO Spinach in my salad and none for my gliders.

and this is why I dont eat vegetables <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />
good heads up for those of you who do, its been on the tv for the past few hours on the news previews

Thanks for the help. I was wondering whether or not gliders could get E. coli and now I know. Looks like no spinach for anyone in my house for a while.

That is all over the news right now. Dole says that they may recall the spinach from the shelves. Lets see if this really happens.

Now I feel bad for the vegetarians. I couldn't stop eating meat to save my life. I don't feed spinach to my gliders. (Thank goodness) I love it though. *wimpers*