An organic power greens E. coli outbreak linked to Simple Truth and Nature’s Basket prepackaged salads has sickened 13 people in six states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four people have been hospitalized. One of them has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) a form of kidney failure that is a complication of E. coli infections.
Nature’s Basket is a Giant Eagle store brand, and Simple Truth is a Kroger brand sold at the Kroger family of stores including Baker’s, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Foods Co, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, Gerbes, Jay C, Food Store, King Soopers, Kroger, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pay-Less Super Markets, Pick’n Save, QFC, Ralphs and Rule.
Recalls have not yet been posted, but the CDC is advising consumers not to eat Simple Truth Organic Power Greens or Nature’s Basket Organic Power Greens with “best if used by” dates through December 20, 2021. It is possible other products may be contaminated.
Symptoms of an E. coli infection include abdominal cramps and diarrhea that can be bloody. These symptoms usually develop within one to three days of exposure. The people in this outbreak, who range in age from 4 to 79 years old, reported the onset of E. coli symptoms on dates ranging from November 27, 2021, to December 9, 2021.
E. coli Outbreak Investigation
During interviews with health officials, 12 of 12 interviewed patients said they ate prepackaged salads in the week before they got sick. Several of them said they used the power greens to make smoothies.
Ten of the 12 patients interviewed provided brand information. Six of them said they purchased or ate Simple Truth Organic Power Greens, one person said they ate Nature’s Basket Organic Power Greens. Both brands of organic power greens have the same mixture: organic spinach, mizuna, kale, and chard.
Using a DNA fingerprinting method called whole genome sequencing, health officials were able to determine that the E. coli fingerprints for all of the patients are closely related suggesting that they all got sick from the same food.
The number of E. coli cases reported from each state is: Alaska (2), California (1), Mississippi (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (7).
Multiple Salad Outbreaks
This power greens E. coli outbreak is one of four ongoing outbreaks linked to prepackaged salads. The others are:
- Josie’s Organic Baby Spinach E. coli outbreak,
- Listeria outbreak linked to Dole packaged salads
- Listeria outbreak linked to Fresh Express packages salads
Recalls have been issued in connection with the Dole and Fresh Express Listera outbreaks. Consumers should check all recall information carefully.
Free E. coli Lawsuit Consultation
If you developed an E. coli infection after eating organic power greens and would like a free consultation with an experienced E. coli lawyer, please contact the Pritzker Hageman E. coli Legal Team. 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.