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A majority of pending lawsuits against produce companies implicated in the 2006 E. coli spinach outbreak have been settled, while tighter food-safety practices enacted are being praised for preventing another food crisis in the produce industry.

A Seattle attorney recently said he has reached settlements in 56 of 72 cases of victims injured during the outbreak of E. coli-contaminated baby spinach.

The E. coli tainted spinach was traced back to Central Coast produce grown by Mission Organics that was processed by Natural Selection Foods and packaged for Dole Food Company.

Food poisoning lawsuits due to the E. coli outbreak were filed against all three companies.

More negotiations are scheduled to start in February for 16 more cases, which involve victims who suffered very serious health effects from the E. coli-tainted spinach. In all, about 100 people filed lawsuits, though others still could be brought in the future.

As lawyers work to resolve the 2006 outbreak, new stringent food-safety practices are being adopted by the produce industry in California and took effect in April 2007. Arizona also set up a similar program and other states are moving in the same direction.

In September, Dole voluntarily recalled bagged mixed salad from nine states and Canada because of the presence of E. coli. There were no reported food poisoning cases from the contamination.

Reference:

"Most claims over E. coli outbreak settled - Growers say emphasis on safety working," The Herald – Monterey County, Larry Parsons, December 2007.