US spinach growers and processors will not face criminal charges over an E. coli outbreak last year that caused the death of three people and sickened 200 others.

Authorities have said that an investigation found farmers and processors were not negligent and had not intentionally tried to break the law.

Authorities in California searched processing plants and additional farms in the state's Santa Clara, Monterey and San Benito counties.

Last September, Canadian and American health officials told consumers not to eat bagged or bunched spinach for fear of E. coli contamination.

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