Sponsored By

FDA update on romaine lettuce links E. coli outbreaks to California growers

Additional unrelated outbreak traced to Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits from Canada

Michael Browne, Executive Editor

December 13, 2019

2 Min Read
Romaine lettuce-GettyImages-654787830.jpg
The FDA reiterated its warning that consumers should not eat romaine lettuce harvested from Salinas, Calif.bhofack2/iStock/Getty Images Plus

Based on information indicating that people in Maryland who became ill from E. coli were exposed to romaine lettuce harvested in Salinas, Calif., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the California Department of Public Health and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, have deployed investigators to three farms in the Salinas area.

The FDA on Thursday reiterated its warning from November 22 that consumers should not eat romaine lettuce harvested from Salinas.

According to Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas, “Our investigation has led us to farms in Salinas, California, and while the FDA is sending investigators there to look for the source of contamination, we are updating our advice today to help protect the public health and to help ensure we contain this outbreak. Consumers should not eat any romaine lettuce harvested from Salinas, California.

The FDA further said that if romaine lettuce does not have labeling information for its growing area or the source cannot be confirmed, consumers should not eat or use the lettuce. Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell romaine lettuce if they cannot confirm it is from outside Salinas. Suppliers, distributors and other supply chain partners should also not sell or ship any romaine lettuce from Salinas. At this time, there is no recommendation for consumers or retailers to avoid using romaine harvested from other sources outside of Salinas or labeled as indoor, or hydroponically and greenhouse-grown.”

Related:Another big recall for romaine lettuce

The FDA continues to actively investigate the cause of this outbreak. Additionally, the FDA is investigating two other E. coli outbreaks, each caused by strains that are different from each other and different from the larger outbreak. Earlier this week, the FDA, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced an outbreak linked to Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kits. To date, the CDC reported eight confirmed cases in the U.S. across three states associated with this cluster of illnesses. The Public Health Agency of Canada also reports 24 cases in six Canadian provinces.

As part of these investigations, the FDA and state partners are conducting traceback investigations to trace romaine exposures to the source.

E. coli are mostly harmless bacteria that live in the intestines of people and animals and contribute to intestinal health. However, eating or drinking food or water contaminated with certain types of E. coli can cause mild to severe gastrointestinal illness. Some types of pathogenic (illness-causing) E. coli, such as Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), can be life-threatening.

Related:Disruptors 2019: Food recalls

At this point, there have been a total of 102 illnesses reported in 23 states, with 58 hospitalizations.

 

About the Author

Michael Browne

Executive Editor, Supermarket News

Michael Browne joined Supermarket News in 2018 after serving in managing and executive editor capacities at leading B2B media brands including Convenience Store NewsLicense Global and Travel Agent. He also previously served as content production manager for print and digital in the Business Intelligence division of Informa, parent company of Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News.

As executive editor, Mike oversees the editorial content of supermarketnews.com as well as the monthly print publication. He also directs all content-based brand-related projects including the annual Top 75 Retailers report, Category Guide, Retailer of the Year, research surveys and special reports, as well as podcast and webinar content. Mike has also presented and moderated at industry events.

In addition to the positions mentioned above, Mike has also worked as a writer and/or editor for special projects at American Legal Media (ALM), managing editor for Tobacco International, special projects editor at American Banker • Bond Buyer, and as production editor for Bank Technology News and other related financial magazines and journals published by Faulkner & Gray.

A graduate of Fordham University, Mike is based in New York City, where he was born and raised.

Contact Mike at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like