New Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreak Investigation Kept Secret for 6 Weeks
Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shared, for the first time, news of yet another Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak—this time sickening 23 people—that was likely linked to romaine lettuce. No deaths have been reported.
Upon identifying an illness cluster, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first notified FDA in September 2019, prompting a traceback investigation. The 23 illnesses were reported in 12 states—Arizona (3), California (8), Florida (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (2), Maryland (1), North Carolina (1), Nevada (1), New York (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (2) and South Carolina (1). Eleven of the ill individuals had to be hospitalized. Illness onset dates range from mid-July 2019 through early September 2019.