In the wake of the E. Coli outbreak that resulted in the destruction of spinach crops in California's Salinas Valley it appears that the bacterium is so pervasive that almost every waterway in the valley is in violation of national standards. An environmental scientist at the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board in California has stated that many of the water sources coming into the Salinas Valley watershed have generic E. coli and may carry the E. coli strain linked to the spinach food poisonings.
Federal officials are focusing on farms in San Benito, Santa Clara and Monterey counties as investigators confirm the suspicion that the tainted spinach originated from the California Central Coast. The Salinas Valley in Monterey County is a major supplier of spinach and lettuce.
Although the actual source of the E. coli contamination has not been pinpointed, tainted water is believed to be responsible. Many waterways near the spinach fields in the Salinas Valley region are known to contain the E. coli strain from the food poisonings. Many growers in the area could be at risk of crop contamination from waterway runoff in the urban areas and livestock operations nearby.
Salinas E. coli: How Many get Sick before Action is Taken?
More Salinas Valley Product affected by E. coli Recall
Bagged Spinach: E coli Carrier
More Salinas Valley Product affected by E. coli Recall
Bagged Spinach: E coli Carrier
