•1) Why was Whole Foods selling meat that was supposed to be recalled?
•2) Why was Whole Foods buying meat from Nebraska Beef Ltd., in the first place?

Whole Foods website is filled with all sorts of promises. Here is one that seemed to be a bit ignored:

Products - Our Quality Standards

We carry natural and organic products because we believe that food in its purest state — unadulterated by artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings, and preservatives — is the best tasting and most nutritious food available.

Our business is to sell the highest quality foods we can find at the most competitive prices possible. We evaluate quality in terms of nutrition, freshness, appearance, and taste. Our search for quality is a never-ending process involving the careful judgment of buyers throughout the company.

Here are some other questions for Whole Foods (after they answer the first two):

• 1) Were you aware of Nebraska Beef’s litigation history against the USDA in 2003 and a church in upstate Minnesota in 2007?
• 2) Had you ever reviewed Nebraska Beef’s Non-compliance Reports?
• 3) Had you ever visited the Nebraska Beef plant?
• 4) After being linked to an E. coli outbreak in California in 2006, what safety measures did Whole Foods employ?

The bacterial beef was sold in: Alabama, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Washington D. C.

Consumers can return to Whole Foods with a receipt or beef packaging for a full refund. For more information, call (512) 542-0878. While on hold, take a moment to wonder if you ever cook your meat to 160 degrees.

Whole Foods E. coli cases Traced to Nebraska Beef Ltd., Meat? [Marler Blog]
Whole Foods recalling possible E. coli contaminated beef [AP]
PREVIOUSLY: More Beef Recalled For E. Coli
(AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

After a deadly outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 in September 2006, the committee examined the Food and Drug Administration's efforts to protect the safety of packaged fresh spinach. What they found wasn't pretty.

From the report:

Packaged fresh spinach facilities were inspected only once every 2.4 years, less than half of FDA's stated goals. Frequent inspections are the cornerstone to the current safeguards for fresh produce and adequate resources are required for frequent inspections. FDA's performance goals state that 95% of high risk facilities like packaged fresh spinach facilities should be inspected at least once yearly. Over a seven-year period, FDA provided 199 inspection reports for 67 packaged fresh spinach facilities. This translates to an inspection rate of about one inspection of each facility every 2.4 years, less than half of FDA's stated goal.

FDA observed objectionable conditions during 47% of the packaged fresh spinach facility inspections. Of the 199 inspections reviewed, 93 documented "objectionable conditions," the most common of which involved plant sanitation, plant construction, and worker sanitation. For example, more than 60% of the inspections with "objectionable conditions" revealed problems related to facility sanitation, such as inadequate restroom cleanliness or accumulations of litter.

Despite observing objectionable conditions in packaged fresh spinach facilities, FDA took no meaningful enforcement action. FDA did not refer any of these inspections with objectionable conditions for further action by its own enforcement authorities. In one case, FDA did refer one inspection to the state for further action. FDA did not issue warning letters or pursue more aggressive steps such as seizures or injunctions.

FDA overlooked repeated violations. In 38 cases, FDA observed repeated violations by packaged fresh spinach facilities but did nothing to force correction. Instead of taking enforcement action, FDA continued to request voluntary compliance after recording violations at each inspection. 14 of these repeat requests for voluntary compliance were for precisely the same violations.

The California Department of Health Services and the FDA performed a joint investigation into the causes of the 2006 spinach outbreak and found that the outbreak probably did not originate in the facilities that are inspected by FDA. Instead, the problem began outside the plants and most likely was due to contamination of the water outside of the plant by cattle feces, pig feces, or river water. FDA does not routinely inspect the fields except in outbreak investigations. In fact, none of the 199 Establishment Inspection Reports reviewed by Committee staff indicated that any observations of field conditions had taken place.

Might want to think twice about fresh spinach.

FDA and Fresh Spinach Safety (PDF) [US House Of Representatives via Consumer Reports]
(Photo:jeffturner)

Sadly, the real intent of the study was to measure how much of an impact "the media's relentless coverage of recalls" have had on customer trust, and not on topics like, oh say, whether mixing batches of meat is a sound business decision.

Although the majority of consumers remain confident in the overall safety of the U.S. meat supply, 34 percent said they are less confident than they were five years ago.

Only 35 percent of consumers surveyed agree that the U.S. government is doing everything it can to ensure meat product safety.

36 percent of consumers said they worry about serving fresh ground beef or hamburgers to their families due to concerns about E. coli contamination. The majority, however, indicated that such concern has yet to impact purchase habits or even intent.

Peter writes:

I was shopping at Macy's in Chicago today to return a baby blanket. I was near the children's toy section and noticed this unusual toy. I'm not sure if I want my 3 year old daughter to play with a stuffed Ebola doll.

Here is the verbiage from the giantmicrobes.com website. They don't mention e-coli but I have a picture of one.

"We make stuffed animals that look like tiny microbes—only a million times actual size! Now available: The Common Cold, The Flu, Sore Throat, Stomach Ache, Cough, Ear Ache, Bad Breath, Kissing Disease, Athlete's Foot, Ulcer, Martian Life, Beer & Bread, Black Death, Ebola, Flesh Eating, Sleeping Sickness, Dust Mite, Bed Bug, and Bookworm (and in our Professional line: H.I.V. and Hepatitis).

Each 5-to-7 inch doll is accompanied by an image of the real microbe it represents, as well as information about the microbe.

They make great learning tools for parents and educators, as well as amusing gifts for anyone with a sense of humor!"

Giant Microbes

Relaxed standards increase chances of clean meat becoming infected. This "E. coli loophole" could be one reason for the surge in E. coli-related recalls lately. The USDA and food processors say there's no danger, as long as people fully cook their meat.

Ew. We're not sure we can order medium-rare again.

E. coli loophole cited in recalls [Chicago Tribune]

• 1.3-pound packages of ''Century Farm 80/20 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 3.0-pound packages of ''Century Farm 80/20 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1- pound packages of ''Century Farm 80/20 Ground Beef Patty.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Century Farm 85/15 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 3-pound packages of ''Century Farm 90/10 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/19/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Century Farm 90/10 Ground Beef Patties.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Century Farm 90/10 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Century Farm 93/7 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1-pound packages of ''Century Farm 96/4 Extra Lean Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/19/2007 or 10/31/2007.
• 1-pound packages of ''Century Farm 85/15 Ground Beef Patties.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date 10/19/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Century Farm 93/7 Ground Beef Patties.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Century Farm 80/20 Chuck Ground Beef Patties.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Century Farm 80/20 Chuck Ground Beef for Chili.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007 or 11/03/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Century Farm Meatloaf Mix, Beef, Pork and Veal with Natural Flavors.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/19/2007, 10/22/2007, 10/31/2007 or 11/03/2007.
• 1.25- pound packages of ''Giant 75/25 Ground Beef, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 3.0- pound packages of ''Giant 75/25 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.25-pound packages of ''Giant 80/20 Ground Beef, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 3.0-pound packages of ''Giant 80/20 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Giant Eagle Ground Chuck Beef Patties 80/20.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/19/2007 or10/22/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Giant Eagle Ground Beef Patties 92/8.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/22/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Giant Eagle Ground Beef Patties 85/15 - Certified Angus Beef Brand.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/19/2007 or 10/22/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Giant Eagle Ground Round Beef Patties 85/15.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/19/2007 or 10/22/2007.
• 3.0-pound packages of ''Shop Rite, 80% Lean 20% Fat, Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007 or 11/03/2007.
• 3.0-pound packages of ''Shop Rite, 85% Lean 15% Fat, Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007 or 11/03/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Shop Rite, 93% Lean 7% Fat, Ground Beef Patties.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Shop Rite, 93% Lean 7% Fat, Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1-pound packages of ''Shop Rite, 96% Lean 4% Fat, Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.25- pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 75/25 Ground Beef, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007 or 11/03/2007.
• 5.0- pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 75/25 Ground Beef, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.25-pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 80/20 Ground Beef, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007 or 11/03/2007.
• 1.25-pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 85/15 Ground Beef, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.2-pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 87/13 Ground Beef Sirloin, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1- pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 90/10 Ground Beef, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.0-pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 80/20 Ground Beef Patties, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 80/20 Ground Beef Patties, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 2.6-pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 80/20 Ground Beef Patties, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 90/10 Ground Beef Patties, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007 or 11/03/2007.
• 2.5-pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 90/10 Ground Beef, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/19/2007.
• 2.5-pound packages of ''Stop & Shop 93/7 Ground Beef, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1-pound packages of ''Wegmans 80/20 Ground Beef Patties.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/19/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Wegmans 90/10 Ground Beef Patties.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/19/2007 or 10/22/2007.
• 3.0- pound packages of ''Weis Premium Meats, 73/27 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1- pound packages of ''Weis Premium Meats, 80/20 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 3- pound packages of ''Weis Premium Meats, 80/20 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007 or 11/03/2007.
• 1-pound packages of ''Weis Premium Meats 85/15 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 2.0 and 3.0 -pound packages of ''Weis Premium Meats 85/15 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 2-pound packages of ''Weis Premium Meats 93/7 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1-pound packages of ''Weis Premium Meats 93/7 Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1-pound packages of ''Weis Premium Meats 96/4 Ground Beef Extra Lean.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Weis Premium Meats 90/10 Ground Beef Sirloin Patties.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Weis Premium Meats Meatloaf Mix, Beef, Pork and Veal with Natural Flavors.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Weis Premium Meats 80/20 Ground Beef for Chili.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Meat Loaf Mix, Made with Beef, Pork, Veal, with Natural Flavors.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/19/2007 or 10/22/2007.
• 1.25-pound packages of ''Meatloaf Mix, A Blend of Fresh Ground Beef, Pork & Veal, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• Various weight packages of ''85/15 Coarse Ground Beef for Chili Meat, All Natural.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/2007.
• 1.3-pound packages of ''Ground Beef Chuck for Chili 80/20.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/19/2007 or 10/22/2007.
• 1.3 pound packages of ''Price Rite 85% Lean, 15% Fat Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.3 pound packages of ''Price Rite 80% Lean, 20% Fat Ground Beef.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 11/03/2007.
• 1.3 pound packages of ''Price Rite Meat loaf mix.'' Each package bears a Use by/freeze by date of 10/31/207 or 11/03/2007.

1 mil. pounds of beef possibly tainted by e-coli recalled [AP]
(Photo: hans s)

Several people have become ill from eating these pizzas, so please, please throw them away. The code "EST. 7750" will be located inside the USDA mark of inspection as well as a "best if used by" date on or before "02 APR 08 WS."

The USDA says: "The company applies the "best if used by date" on the package based on a 155-day shelf life, however consumers are urged to look in their freezers for similar frozen pizza products and discard them if found. "

So far there have been illnesses reported in Illinois (1), Kentucky (3), Missouri (2), New York (2), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (8), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (1). Don't mess with these pizzas. Throw them away. For a complete list of the recalled pizzas, click here.

Ohio Firm Recalls Frozen Meat Pizzas Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination [USDA]

Last week, Topps recalled 21.7 million pounds of frozen hamburger patties, making it the one of the largest recalls of its kind and the company's first in 67 years of operation. From the NYT:

The lawsuit, filed in United States District Court in New York, seeks compensation from Topps and a number of stores that stock its frozen meat, including Wal-Mart, ShopRite and Pathmark. The suit names four plaintiffs, according to Robert K. Jenner, a Baltimore lawyer.

One plaintiff, Jimmy Patton of Springdale, Ark., bought a bag of Sam's Choice Backyard Gourmet Beef Burgers on Sept. 15 from Wal-Mart, the suit said. Seven days later he cooked and ate the beef. By Sept. 26, the suit said, Mr. Patton "began exhibiting symptoms of E. coli exposure, including but not limited to severe abdominal cramps, severe bloody diarrhea and fatigue."

Class-Action Lawsuit Filed Against Producer of Beef [NYT]

PREVIOUSLY: Hamburger Recalled For E. Coli After 6 Illnesses Reported In New York
Meat Industry Showing Signs Of Larger Problems

The Chicago Tribune writes that "the requirement for a USDA inspection and stamp on meat that will be sold interstate hampers sales for smaller meat processors, according to beef industry advocates," and that the state of Minnesota feels its own state inspection procedures are equal to the those of the FDA. However, not all states have quality inspection procedures, or any at all.

The union that represents federal meat inspectors has argued against the measure:

"[It] would seriously endanger food safety by weakening the USDA federal meat and poultry inspection program and by increasing reliance on the more lenient, institutionally weaker state inspection programs — at a time when our nation's food supply is subject to increased risks from both accidental and intentional adulteration."

"Meat recalls point to possibility threat is growing" [USA Today]
"Bill would reduce meat inspections" [Chicago Tribune]
(Photo: Getty)

The meat in question comes from frozen hamburgers distributed by Elizabeth, N.J.-based Topps Meat Co.. The recall affects 331,582 pounds of frozen beef patties that were distributed nationwide. All packages carried the number "Est. 9748" inside the USDA mark of inspection, and were produced on June 22, July 12 or July 23, the USDA said.

Here's a complete list of the recalled meat, compliments of your USDA:

• 10-pound boxes of "BUTCHER'S BEST 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES 75/25, 6 OZ. FLAT, 27 PIECES." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "BUTCHER'S BEST 100% ALL BEEF PATTIES 75/25, 4 OZ. (4-1), 40 PIECES." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "KOHLER FOODS 4 OZ. FLAT HAMBURGER, CODE: 60100, 40 PCS." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "KOHLER FOODS 6 OZ. FLAT HAMBURGER, CODE: 60200, 27 PCS." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "KOHLER FOODS 8 OZ. FLAT HAMBURGER, CODE: 60300, 20 PCS." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT, 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGERS 80/20, 8 OZ. FLAT, 20 COUNT." Each box bears a packed-on date of "JUN 22 07."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "SAND CASTLE FINE MEAT, 100% PREMIUM BEEF HAMBURGERS 85/15, 6 OZ. FLAT, 27 COUNT." Each box bears a packed-on date of "JUN 22 07."
  
• 2-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 8 Quarter Pounders." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 12 08."
  
• 2-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 3 OZ., 10 COUNT." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 12 08."
  
• 3-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 6 OZ. PUB Burgers." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08."
  
• 3-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 12 Quarter Pounders." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08," "JUL 12 08" or "JUL 23 08."
  
• 3-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 16 Hamburgers." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
  
• 5-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 20 Quarter Pounders." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08," "JUL 12 08" or "JUL 23 08."
  
• 8-pound boxes of "Topps 100% Pure Ground Beef Hamburgers, 32 Quarter Pounders." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "Topps 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS 5 OZ. (1/2")." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "Topps HAMBURGERS, 3.2 OZ, 50 COUNT." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 12 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "Topps 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS, 8 OZ. (Pub Burger)." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "Topps 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGERS, 4 OZ. (4-1) Homestyle." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUL 23 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "WESTSIDE, 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 8 OZ FLAT, 20 COUNT." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "WESTSIDE, 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 6 OZ FLAT, 27 COUNT." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08."
  
• 10-pound boxes of "WESTSIDE, 100% PREMIUM HAMBURGER, 5 OZ FLAT, 32 COUNT." Each box bears a sell-by date of "JUN 22 08."

Customers who have questions should contact Topps' Vice President of Finance and Administration Jeffrey Rohach at (908) 351-0500 ext. 50. E. coli symptoms can be found here, and usually include stomach cramping and bloody diarrhea.

New Jersey Firm Recalls Ground Beef Products For Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination [USDA]
Topps Meat Co. Recalls Hamburgers [AP]

The e. coli tainted product is Dole's "Hearts Delight" bagged salad mix. It has a "best if used by (BIUB)" date of September 19, 2007, and a production code of "A24924A" or "A24924B" stamped on the package. The "best if use by (BIUB)" code date can be located in the upper right hand corner of the front of the bag. The salad was sold in plastic bags of 227 grams in Canada and one-half pound in the U.S., with UPC code 071430-01038.

"Hearts Delight" was sold in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime Provinces in Canada and in Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and neighboring states in the U.S..

Got questions? Pester the Dole Consumer Center at 800-356-3111. If you've got the salad in your fridge—throw it out.

The Consumerist takes this opportunity to remind you that its not difficult to chop lettuce and that the FDA "Food Czar","David W.K.," says that no one should ever buy bagged salad because it is unsafe.

Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Voluntary Recall of 'Dole Hearts Delight' Packaged Salads [FDA]

The recalled products were shipped to stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. They were sold under the brand names Moran's All Natural, Miller Meat Company, Stater Bros., Trader Joe's Butcher Shop, Inter-American Products Inc. and Basha's.

The affected grocery stores included Albertson's, Basha's, Grocery Outlet, Fry's, "R" Ranch Markets, Save-A-Lot, Save-Mart, Scolari's Wholesale Markets, Smart and Final, Smith's, Stater Bros. and Superior Warehouse.

Beef Recall Expanded Millions of Pounds [AP]
(Photo: hans s)

"Because these products later became ground beef sold under many different retail brand names, consumers should check with their local retailer to determine whether they may have purchased any of the products subject to recall," the USDA said.

No new E. coli cases in beef scare; recall expanded [Minnesota Star Tribune]
(Photo: Sunfox)

BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. said Tuesday it was recalling packages of fresh mushrooms after it a routine inspection revealed the possible presence of the deadly bacteria E. coli.

The warehouse club operator said the products affected were Wellsley Farms brand fresh mushrooms purchased between February 11 and February 19, 2007.

Bj's Recalls Mushrooms on e. Coli suspicion [CNNMoney]
(Photo: Waldo Jaquith)

California lettuce linked to 2 E. coli outbreaks [Seattle Times]

Taco Bell President Greg Creed said Taco Bell did its own poll and, "94% of people who describe themselves as Taco Bell eaters have a "positive" view of the brand; 82% believe the food is "safe." Creed says sales are improving.

""This is a bigger issue than Taco Bell," Creed says. It's an ingredient issue, he says, and Taco Bell will seek better industry testing in the field, "before it comes to our restaurant." The outbreak could have happened to anyone, he says. "It's not like we did anything wrong."

We'll have the #2 with no lettuce, thanks. —MEGHANN MARCO

Taco Bell turns onto 'recovery' road [USA Today]

Health officials are advising consumers that they should feel secure in buying spinach if they can confirm it was not grown in San Benito, Monterey or Santa Clara counties. An E. coli outbreak linked to spinach is thought to be receding, and children all over the country are crying softly into their pillows.

Growers have been working for several days to figure out a way to return the product to store shelves so that consumers can discern where it was grown and packaged.

"Over the weekend, the industry shared a very preliminary draft proposal," A spokesperson said. "We are in conversations with the industry and the FDA regarding feedback on the ideas."

In case you were wondering, that's corporate speak for, "We have no fucking idea what we're going to do. We have a conference room and a bunch of people and we're going to argue about it, but... Let's face it—we haven't got a clue."

.. or people evacuating blood out of their anus. Thanks to Mark Copyranter, who notes that Embassy Hotels had plenty of time to pull this ad from this week's New Yorker.

The Spinach Crisis continues!

First of all, for those of you who are reluctant to open up your bowels to an E. Coli orgy, please be aware that the FDA has now advised everyone to stay away from all spinach.

Better yet, the FDA actually warned spinach producers last year that there was a danger of an outbreak:

Stay clear of all spinach distributed by Natural Selection Foods.Natural Selection Foods supplies a huge amount of spinach to various resellers, including Dole, Green Harvest and Trader Joe's. You can find the complete list of suspect spinach sellers over at Accidental Hedonist.

They aren't the only suspects, so you should avoid any packaged spinach that has a "Best If Used By Date" of August 17, 200 through October 1st. Though it goes without saying that if your black, oozing bag of spinach has a best if used by date of over a month ago, E. Coli will be the least of your worries upon consumption.

Natural Selection Foods recalls spinach... [Accidental Hedonist]

After an outbreak of E. Coli in over eight states left fifty people sick and one person dead, raw bagged spinach seems to be the likely culprit. Infections of E. Coli have been growing by the day. Affected states are Connecticut, IDaho, Indiana, Micigan, New Mexico, Oregon and Utah.

There's no word on what particular brand of raw bagged spinach this is, but surely, the grotesquely deformed mug of Popeye trickles a green, ichorous tear from his sole bulging eye. Then he heaves over, grabs his stomach with his bladder-like arms, and passes a bloody stool.

E. coli outbreak traced to bagged spinach; 1 dead [CNN]