According to the CDC, the E. coli outbreak that affected dozens of people and was connected to a Chelsea-based produce supplier ranked among the worst outbreaks documented on the East Coast during 2012.
Pre-packaged leafy greens manufactured by Chelsea-based State Garden were identified as the source of the outbreak.
Across five states, 33 individuals contracted the E. coli outbreak strain. The distribution of cases was as follows: Connecticut reported two cases, Massachusetts had three, New York documented 26, Pennsylvania reported one, and Virginia reported one.
The CDC noted that illness onset dates spanned from October 18, 2012 through November 12, 2012. Those affected ranged in age from 4 to 66 years, with a median age of 24 years. Women comprised 63 percent of the ill persons. Among the 28 ill persons for whom hospitalization data was available, 13 individuals (46%) required hospitalization.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a kidney failure condition, developed in two people, though no fatalities occurred.
Public health officials in the state conducted interviews with infected individuals to identify potential food sources and other exposures during the week preceding their illness.
Pre-packaged leafy greens were consumed by 30 (97%) of 31 ill people. Wegmans brand Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend was eaten by 15 (48%) of the 31 people during the week before they became ill.
A total of 25 (81%) of people reported consuming various brands of pre-packaged leafy greens all produced by State Garden.
Wegmans initiated a voluntary recall on November 2, 2012 of its 5-ounce and 11-ounce clam shell packages of Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend, which was produced by State Garden. State Garden subsequently issued a consumer advisory for product packaged on October 12 and 13, 2012.