CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigated a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. Epidemiologic and laboratory data showed that Josie’s Organics prepackaged baby spinach with a “best by” date of October 23, 2021, made people sick.

A total of 15 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 were reported from 10 states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 13, 2021, to November 8, 2021. Sick people ranged in age from 1 to 76 years, with a median age of 26, and 80% were female. Of 15 people with information available, 4 were hospitalized and 3 developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths were reported.

Officials in Minnesota found the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 in a package of leftover Josie’s Organics baby spinach collected from a sick person’s home.

FDA conducted a traceback investigation for the positive product sample and traced it back to a small number of farms in two different geographic regions. However, investigators did not identify a potential point of contamination.

The outbreak was declared over on January 6, 2022.