Minnesotans sickened in a spinach E. coli outbreak purchased Josie’s Organics brand at a Hy-Vee store and Fresh Thyme brand at a Fresh Thyme store. Both brands are made by Braga Fresh of Salinas, CA.
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture collected leftover Josie’s Organics organic baby spinach from one of the Minnesota patient’s homes for testing. Results showed that the spinach, which had a “best by” date of 10/23/2021, was contaminated with E. coli O157. Braga Fresh has stated that it did not issue a recall because the spinach associated with the illnesses was weeks beyond its “best by” date by the time the problem was discovered and should no longer be on store shelves.
The outbreak includes a total of 10 illnesses in seven states. The number of illnesses reported from each state is: Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (1), Ohio (1), and South Dakota (1).
Symptoms of an E. coli infection include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody. These symptoms usually develop within three days of exposure. The Minnesota patients, who are both in their mid-20s, reported the onset of symptoms on dates ranging from October 17, 2021, to October 23, 2021. became ill from Oct. 17 to Oct. 23.
Fresh Thyme has Minnesota stores in Apple Valley, Bloomington, Plymouth, Rochester, Savage, St. Lous Park, Vadnais Heights, Waite Park, and the Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. Hy-Vee has locations in Albert Lea, Austin, Brooklyn Park, Cottage Grove, Eagan, Fairmont. Faribault, Glencoe (Dollar Fresh), Kasson, Lakeville, Mankato, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Marshall, New Hope, New Prague (Fast & Fresh Express), New Prague, New Ulm, Oakdale, Owatonna, Pine Island, Plainview, Plymouth, Preston, Robbinsdale Rochester, Savage, Shakopee, Spring Lake Park, Spring Valley, St. Charles, St. Peter, Stewartville, Windom, Winona, Worthington, and Zumbrota.
Between 5 percent and 10 percent of E. coli patients develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a form of kidney failure that most often affects children under the age of 10. People with E. coli infections should not take over-the-counter medications to treat diarrhea of antibiotics as these can increase the risk of developing HUS.
Experienced E. coli Lawyers
If you developed E. coli after eating contaminated spinach and would like a free consultation with an experienced E. coli lawyer, please contact the Pritzker Hageman E. coli Legal Team. Pritzker Hageman E. coli lawyers have represented clients in every major E. coli outbreak in the U.S. You can reach us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. There is no obligation and you don’t pay us unless we win.