FBI searches two California plants in E. coli investigation

On Oct. 4, FBI agents executed a search warrant on two processing facilities in the Salinas Valley of California, the region implicated in the recent E. coli outbreak.

FDA and FBI agents involved in the investigation into the outbreak searched plants operated by Growers Express, Salinas, Calif., and Natural Selection Foods, San Juan Bautista, Calif. Natural Selection was named by FDA as the source of the contaminated spinach Sept. 29.

“I want to reassure the public that there is no indication in this investigation that leaf spinach was deliberately or intentionally contaminated,” U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan said in an FBI statement. “We are investigating allegations that certain spinach growers and distributors may not have taken all necessary or appropriate steps to ensure that their spinach was safe before they were placed into interstate commerce. Moreover, the investigation has not revealed any evidence of a new or continuing threat to public health in connection with the matters under investigation.”

This is the first mention of Growers Express in the outbreak. The company says it does not process bagged spinach but does market bagged spinach that is purchased from other processors not implicated in the outbreak.

“Growers Express cooperated fully with the federal investigators and will continue to do so. Safeguarding the health of our customers is our top priority and we continue to do all we can to ensure our products are safe and wholesome,” the company said in a statement.