FDA Releases Findings of its Investigation of Summer 2020 Outbreak Linked to Peaches
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a report on its investigation of the Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak in peaches. This has been the first time a Salmonella outbreak has been linked to peaches. FDA and multiple state and federal partners investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections that were linked to the consumption of peaches during summer 2020. In total, the outbreak causes 101 reported illnesses across 27 states, including 28 hospitalizations.
The FDA conducted this investigation between August and October 2020 in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state partners, and Canadian public health officials. The epidemiological and traceback investigation determined that peaches packed or supplied by a large grower/producer were the likely source of the outbreak. The traceback evidence informed and helped prioritize two subsequent investigations of peach packing/holding operations and peach orchards in Cutler, Kerman, and Sanger, California. The large grower/producer cooperated with FDA throughout the investigation and is continuing to engage with FDA on the agency’s findings and recommendations.