October 4, 2006

E. coli found in US cattle feces

Officials investigating the recent outbreak of food poisoning in spinach have discovered E. coli in cattle feces on pastures near farms supplying the tainted product, a state health officer said on Tuesday (Oct 3).

Investigators have obtained samples of cattle feces testing positive for E. coli.

A second set of tests is being done to determine if the bacteria found were the same strain that caused close to 200 cases of food poisoning last month.

California investigators are looking at possible scenarios for how spinach from their state may have become contaminated, Kevin Reilly, a deputy director at the California Department of Health Services said.

The bacteria could have come from irrigation water, fertiliser, farm equipment or workers, livestock and wild animals or even during transport, he said.