FBI searches two spinach packing companies for E. coli evidence

SAN FRANCISCO -- The FBI searched two produce companies Wednesday for evidence of a crime in the nationwide E. coli outbreak that killed one person and sickened at least 191 others.

Agents from the FBI and the Food and Drug Administration used warrants to search a Natural Selection Foods LLC plant in San Juan Bautista and a Growers Express plant in Salinas to determine whether they followed food safety procedures.

Federal health officials said early in their investigation that deliberate contamination was not suspected.

The searches were the first indication that authorities suspect a crime may have been committed in the outbreak.

that killed a Wisconsin woman, sickened people in 26 states and prompted the FDA to issue a two-week consumer warning on fresh spinach.

FBI spokesman Joe Schadler said authorities were investigating whether there was a criminal violation of federal environmental laws, which would be a felony.

He would not disclose what agents sought or seized at the two plants.

Natural Selection, which packages spinach sold under 34 brand names and supplies spinach to other food processors, was implicated in the E. coli outbreak after 11 bags of Dole brand baby spinach tested positive for the same bacteria strain found in people who feel ill after eating the leafy greens.

Growers Express grows and packs produce, including iceberg lettuce sold under the Green Giant Fresh label and Farm Day packaged spinach.

Spokesmen for both companies did not immediately return calls seeking comment.