Panic as E. Coli in spinach kills one

One person was killed and 100 others taken ill following a deadly outbreak of E. Coli in packaged spinach in as many as 20 states in the US, forcing store owners to get rid of the product from their shelves.

Wisconsin was the worst hit, with one woman dead and nearly 100 hospitalised. The particular strain of the E. Coli bacteria is said to be causing severe vomiting with some having been diagnosed with kidney problems.

Packaged spinach sold in American stores is said to be the source of the outbreak, FDA said and asked consumers not to eat it. The outbreak has been linked to spinach products distributed by California-based Natural Selection Foods.