The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7.

As of Nov. 15, 10 people have been infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 across seven Midwestern states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from Oct. 15 to Oct. 27.

A Whole Genome Sequencing analysis of baby spinach collected from the home of an ill person is underway to determine if the strain of E. coli O157:H7 present in the product sample matches the outbreak strain.

Thus far, FDA has traced supply chains for this product back to a small number of farms in two different geographic regions and is deploying investigators along the supply chains of interest.

FDA and state partners are working with the firm to determine if additional products could be affected. The investigation is ongoing.

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