FDA Announces Investigations of Two Outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 Illnesses
According to Frank Yiannas, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response, FDA, along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the agency’s state and local partners, are working to investigate two outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC) illnesses. A specific food product has not yet been identified. However, FDA has seen similar recurring, emerging, or persistent strains of E. coli in recent outbreaks.
He notes that FDA is issuing this update early in its investigation as part of the agency’s continued commitment to transparency and early communication. Investigators at the agency are also working toward making a new resource available soon on the FDA website to provide early updates on new and active investigations.