Packaged Salads Tied to E. Coli Outbreak in Six States

More than a dozen people have been infected by a strain of Escherichia coli in six U.S. states, health officials report.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a food safety alert linking the outbreak to Simple Truth Organic Power Greens and Nature's Basket Organic Power Greens. The greens may be contaminated with E. coli and may be making people sick, the CDC said. The 13 people known to be infected include four who were hospitalized. One developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. No deaths were reported.

The reports of illness came from Washington state, Oregon, California, Alaska, Ohio, and Mississippi, though the true number of infections is likely much higher and in additional states, the CDC said in a news release. Many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli.

The CDC advises people not use the greens with a "best if used by" date through Dec. 20, 2021. Although expired, the products may still be in people's homes. Investigators are working to determine if additional products may be contaminated.

People usually get sick from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli two to eight days after swallowing the contaminated food. The average is three to four days. Symptoms often include severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea, often with blood. Some people may have a fever, which usually is lower than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. Some may experience kidney failure.