This article shows how an E. coli outbreak can be the symptom of a larger problem: our food industry itself. In 2006 there was an outbreak of E. coli from tainted spinach. It's theorized that the E.coli came from flood waters that were a result of spilloff from beef feed lots. This particular strain of E. coli was not a problem until we started feeding our cows grain instead of grass, to make them ready for slaughter more quickly. The cows can no longer kill the E. coli in their digestive tract because of the grain feed, so it is excreted in their waste. The stored waste can flood, and contaminate nearby farm fields. The company responsible for the tainted spinach, EarthBound Farms, has implemented new safety measures, but experts say that another outbreak is inevitable because of our highly centralized food processing system. In order to battle these new bacteria, we need to look at the way we operate our food system in America.