Is organic spinach safe to buy? Is it worth the extra price to buy organic food?

Answer 1

A person may reason that "organic" food is better because it is produced without chemical fertilizers. So that means that it is fertilized with manure. Cows, pigs, deer, sheep, horses and chickens may be infected with E. coli O157:H7 and not become ill. The manure may be used to fertilize food that is organically grown. Currently 1 woman died and 109 people have been hospitalized from eating organically grown spinach infected with E. coli O157:H7. E. coli O157:H7 has formerly been found on all types of produce including strawberries, lettuce and bean sprouts. Unpasturized fruit juices were the source of a large E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in 1996.

I personally do not buy organically grown food. If a person feels that buying it will protect them from chemical fertilizers, then he should make sure that he thoroughly scrubs, washes and rinses the fruits and vegetables. To be safe they should be cooked as well. The bacteria can live not only on the leaves but also inside the leaves, stems and fruit so washing the outside is not sufficient.

The problem with bagged "pre-washed" packaged spinach and salads is that people tend to eat it right out of the bag without washing it again. That is not healthy. Raw food should be thoroughly washed, not just rinsed. Cooking does kill most pathogens.

For some people, especially young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, foodborne illness can be very dangerous.

Foodborne illnesses are more common that most people think. Use a brush to scrub produce with firm or rough surfaces, such as oranges, cantaloupes, potatoes and carrots. You should always soak raw fruits and vegetables in chlorinated tap water for a few minutes and rub them to get them clean. Then rinse them under running tap water before you prepare and eat them . Any bacteria left-over will be killed by cooking.

At this time, Natural Selection Foods, LLC, of San Juan Bautista, California, is recalling all of its products that contain spinach in all the brands they pack with “Best if Used by Dates” of August 17, 2006 through October 1, 2006. The products were distributed to about 20 states and Mexico.

Natural Selection Foods, LLC brands include: Natural Selection Foods, Pride of San Juan, Earthbound Farm, Bellissima, Dole, Rave Spinach, Emeril, Sysco, O Organic, Fresh Point, River Ranch, Superior, Nature’s Basket, Pro-Mark, Compliments, Trader Joe’s, Ready Pac, Jansal Valley, Cheney Brothers, Coastline, D’Arrigo Brothers, Green Harvest, Mann, Mills Family Farm, Pro*Act, Premium Fresh, Snoboy, The Farmer’s Market, Tanimura & Antle, President’s Choice, Cross Valley, and Riverside Farms. These products include spinach and any salad with spinach in a blend, both retail and food service products. Products that do not contain spinach are not part of this recall.

Another company, River Ranch, of California, is currently recalling its spring mix containing spinach. River Ranch obtained bulk spring mix containing spinach from Natural Selections. The following brands are involved: Farmers Market, Hy Vee, Fresh and Easy.

In the past, contaminated seeds, irrigation water, runoff from feed lots and flooding have contributed to E. coli outbreaks traced to alfalfa sprouts, lettuce, spinach, parsley, and other fresh produce. E. coli O157:H7 is also found in meat. Meat must be thoroughly cooked.

It takes about 2 to 8 days for a person to show signs of infection which include:
o- bloody diarrhea
o- nausea and vomiting
o- severe abdominal cramps
o- fever

Healthy adults infected with E. coli O157:H7 may recover within 5 to 10 days without treatment. The higher risk is for those with a compromised immune system, children and older adults. A serious complication is called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). It leads to destruction of the red blood cells and kidney failure. About 2%-7% of infections lead to this complication. Even with the patient receiving intensive care, the death rate from hemolytic uremic syndrome can be about 3%-5%.

The very infectious E. coli -- type O157:H7 may also be antibiotic resistant. During the current epidemic of E.coli O157:H7 found in spinach an 85-year-old woman died in Wisconsin and 109 people have been hospitalized.

The CDC estimates that about 73,000 cases of E.coli related illness occur each year. And 76 million cases of other foodborne illness. As a direct result of pathogenic E. coli infections and its complications, every year 2,100 Americans are hospitalized, and 61 people die. A recent study estimated the annual cost of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses to be $405 million (in 2003 dollars). Those costs that contributed to this estimate included $370 million for premature deaths, $30 million for medical care, and $5 million for lost productivity.

The virulence of E. coli O157:H7 is a result of its ability to produce Shiga-like toxins, or verotoxins. Shiga-like toxins inhibit protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells and play a role in hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome by causing damage to endothelial cells in the kidneys, pancreas, brain, and other organs, thus inhibiting those organs’ ability to function.

The primary mode of transmission of E. coli at agricultural fairs, petting zoos, and farm visits was previously thought to be fecal-oral – that is, by ingestion of bacteria-laden feces via contaminated food or water, or transfer by hand to mouth following contact with contaminated surfaces or animals. Conclusions reached by investigators in several recent fair-associated outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 suggest that ingestion or perhaps even inhalation of contaminated dust particles may be an additional cause of E. coli infection among fairgoers and visitors to petting zoos.

Answer 2

You have asked two entirely separate questions.

Right now, in my opinion, it is best to stay away from ALL spinach (organic or not) until they find the root of this E-Coli outbreak. There has been NO confirmation (as of yet) as to whether or not the spinach that has caused these E-Coli outbreaks was organic or not.

Your other question "Is it worth the extra price to buy organic food?"...Well, that is something that is entirely up to you to decide based on your own opinion. It is a fact that organic foods are more expensive than conventional foods but there is a very good explanation as to why this is. Consider these facts:

-Organic farmers don’t receive federal subsidies like conventional farmers do. Therefore, the price of organic food reflects the true cost of growing.

-The price of conventional food does not reflect the cost of environmental cleanups that we pay for through our tax dollars.

-Organic farming is more labor and management intensive.

-Organic farms are usually smaller than conventional farms and so do not benefit from the economies of scale that larger growers get.

In the end, it is up to you what you choose to buy and what you put into your body but knowing the facts can help inform you on the matter.

Answer 3

You forget to mention some of the beneficial bacteria that are in manure as well though. As long as the manure is from organic, pasture-grazed cows then you will be safe.

Sadly you can no longer buy organic spinach anymore. The FDA has put a ban on it. You have to eat McDonald's now. Apparently that is healthier for you than spinach.

Why don't they start recalling beer? Isn't that bad for you, too?

Answer 4

Organic spinach is grown all over the world. Look at where it is grown, and hear yo your instincts to see if it is safe or not. Organic foods are mostly worth the extra price as it is a bit more complicated, unlike non-organic ones. Frankly, I don't care if it is organic or not.

Answer 5

Buying any organic food is much better for your body than buying non-organic. With organic, you're not getting the insecticides or pesticides or preservatives with your food that you get for store bought items. Organic is a much healthier option if you're able to do that. I would love to buy more organic foods for our household, but don't have anywhere around us that really does that. I say spend a few extra bucks and make your body a little bit happier and healthier!

Answer 6

organic foods are never genetically modified or irradiated. They only use organic fertilizer (worm and/or cattle manure) and organic approved pesticides. Growth hormones are never used. Conventional foods often times are genetically modified so the plants are immune to harsh chemicals (pesticides, etc.) One example is genetic modification so plants will be immune to weed killing chemicals. Once they change the DNA of the seeds to tolerate these chemicals, the soil is flooded in them. The fertilizer and pesticides used are typically synthetic which means they were manufactured in a factory somewhere (man-made). I like to buy organic because I care about my health. Organic foods aren't much more expensive if you find the right place. I recommend going somewhere that sells exclusively organic produce because the prices will be much more competitive. Here in Berkeley, CA they have a 100% certified organic farmer's market which I go to nearly every Thursday. There are also plenty of natural grocers which sell exclusive organic produce.

Answer 7

I have no evidence, but I have no doubt whatsoever, knowing human nature, that a large percentage of organic food on the market is nothing of the sort. There are frauds in all walks of life and with the premium paid on organic food, fraud is a certainty. I have never switched to it and with the high standards kept by UK farmers, conventional food is as good, if not better..........

I read a wonderful remark about organic food: '...most of the yuppy people who stick rigidly to organic produce during the week, spend the weekend shoving decidedly non-organic powder up their noses........'

Answer 8

The spinach that was just found with e-coli, was organic. Came from N Calif, returned what we had. Organic is more flavorful, I don't.

Answer 9

I think it is. You're getting better quality & safer foods.
It's expensive, though - but if you're willing to spend the extra money and can afford to then start going organic.

Answer 10

I would take local over organic everyday. You can get organic locally but if not I 'd choose local because it is fresher ( more vitamins). Grown for taste and not for ship-abilty. Besides you support your local community,

Answer 11

I hear it is better to but the organic stuff cuz it doesnt have all the pesticides that the other food does