is this what is in reference:
FDA Finalizes Report on 2006 Spinach Outbreak
/quote
Because the contamination occurred before the start of the investigation, and because of the many ways that E.coli O157:H7 can be transferred -- including animals, humans, and water -- the precise means by which the bacteria spread to the spinach remain unknown.
/unquote
and that's from the "final report"
and in terms of the absolute best "So glad to hear you've stopped beating you wife" headliners:
/quote
Although washing produce would not have prevented the recent E-coli outbreak involving spinach, washing can reduce the risk of contamination from some other causes. FDA advises consumers that all produce should be thoroughly washed before eating.
/unquote
so, how it got there is "unknown" - but washing would not have helped.
your tax dollars hard at work.
this list details the twisted history:
Spinach and E. coli Outbreak
2006.11.15: CDC Food Safety Activities and the Recent E.coli Spinach Outbreak details congressional testimony. it says in part
/quote
A better understanding is needed of the mechanisms by which leafy greens become contaminated so contamination can be interrupted.
/unquote
don't get me wrong, I'm not in denial - but I have seen no scientifically validated information that plants absorb e. coli. all the real science points to surface contamination. washing / rinsing is good, it that sufficient? don't know.
I do however have serious issues with (loosely defined) "journalists" taking a sentence from here, half a paragraph from there, a couple words from somewhere else and spinning it into a "The Sky Is Falling" headline.