Hollister
– It is not clear what long-term effect the recent E. coli
outbreak will have on the spinach market, but some consumers have
already made up their minds. San Juan resident Henry Clay said that
while he would be staying away from spinach in the short-term, he
wouldn’t hesitate to try the leafy gree
ns once the FDA ban is lifted.
Hollister – It is not clear what long-term effect the recent E. coli outbreak will have on the spinach market, but some consumers have already made up their minds. San Juan resident Henry Clay said that while he would be staying away from spinach in the short-term, he wouldn’t hesitate to try the leafy greens once the FDA ban is lifted.
“We don’t know where the spinach came from or what caused it, so you can’t just avoid it,” he said outside of Windmill Market Monday. “But I think all the food out here is pretty clean.”
Local resident Leora Barnes, 21, said she wasn’t concerned about the ban.
“I buy canned spinach; my parents buy the bagged stuff,” she said. “But I don’t buy it enough, so (the ban) won’t affect me.”
Barnes said she was more concerned about the effect the spinach ban will have on the local economy, considering that Earthbound Farm has already taken most of its products of the shelf.
Local restaurateur Ignacio Velazquez, who owns the Vault on San Benito Street, said he pulled spinach from his menu right after the FDA’s announcement on Thursday.
“Customers seem to be pretty understanding,” he said. “Everyone wants to be safe.”
