Latest News From E. coli

FDA E. coli outbreak investigation closes; no specific source found
FDA E. coli outbreak investigation closes; no specific source found

The FDA has concluded an investigation into a fall 2020 E. coli outbreak linked to leafy greens.

CORRECTED: Is epidemiology ‘unwritten rule’ the key to sources of E. coli?
CORRECTED: Is epidemiology ‘unwritten rule’ the key to sources of E. coli?

COORECTED: As health and regulatory agencies seek an answer to what’s causing three separate E. coli outbreaks, one likely answer is sprouts or leafy greens, according to the demographics of past outbreaks.

Town Hall, seminar focus on leafy green safety, FDA traceability rule
Town Hall, seminar focus on leafy green safety, FDA traceability rule

Produce Marketing Association has announced a pair of virtual meetings to discuss the current state of produce safety in the industry which includes discussion of outbreaks in leafy greens and proposed FDA regulation.

Source of three E. coli outbreaks eludes FDA
Source of three E. coli outbreaks eludes FDA

The FDA is investigating three E. coli outbreaks, and although each one has a strain associated with current or past outbreaks linked to romaine, the agency said it has no specific evidence pointing to romaine.

SmartWash Solutions’ Boost reduces E. coli risks on lettuce
SmartWash Solutions’ Boost reduces E. coli risks on lettuce

A U.S. Department of Agriculture study on SmartWash Solutions’ Boost, a patent-pending treatment for iceberg and romaine lettuce before washing, shows the treatment is effective in killing E. coli.

FDA says E. coli outbreaks have strains related to past romaine events
FDA says E. coli outbreaks have strains related to past romaine events

The FDA is investigating two E. coli outbreaks, and although their origin is unknown, the strains are genetically related to separate outbreaks in 2018 and 2019 that were traced to romaine lettuce.

Center for Produce Safety funds 14 projects at $3.3 million
Center for Produce Safety funds 14 projects at $3.3 million

The Center for Produce Safety has chosen 14 more projects to fund, from research on the survival of viruses in surface water to the role of dust in transferring foodborne pathogens.

Arizona LGMA updates water metrics prior to Yuma season
Arizona LGMA updates water metrics prior to Yuma season

As the fall/winter growing season in Yuma, Ariz., approaches, the Arizona Leafy Green Marketing Agreement has approved new water and field metrics.

LGMAs adopt numerous changes on water, sanitation
LGMAs adopt numerous changes on water, sanitation

The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement has made more than 50 changes to rules as the group continues a review of its practices following E. coli outbreaks in recent years.

FDA releases protocol on treatment of agricultural water
FDA releases protocol on treatment of agricultural water

The Food and Drug Administration has a new protocol for the development and registration of treatments for water used on crops before harvest.

California leafy greens growers work to prevent outbreaks
California leafy greens growers work to prevent outbreaks

Leafy green growers are pledging to follow recommendations that the Food and Drug Administration recently outlined in a report on E. coli outbreaks in romaine and other leafy Greens in 2019.

Web seminar looks at Romaine Task Force recommendations
Web seminar looks at Romaine Task Force recommendations

The Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association are presenting a web seminar on the findings of the Romaine Task Force.

Sanitizer approved for organic use in Washington
Sanitizer approved for organic use in Washington

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has approved Best Sanitizers Inc.’s Alpet D2 Quat-Free Surface Sanitizer for use by organic food processors.

Produce safety symposium features look at romaine outbreak
Produce safety symposium features look at romaine outbreak

The Center for Produce Safety’s 2019 Research Symposium is focusing on the biggest food safety issue the industry has faced in the past year with a two-part session, “Perspectives on the 2018 Romaine Outbreaks.”

Reflections on retailer responses to romaine
Reflections on retailer responses to romaine

I visited 12 grocery stores in the Kansas City area the evening that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked another E. coli outbreak to romaine, and the Nov. 20 trip was far more revealing than I expected.

<p>Iceberg lettuce field Nov. 2017</p><p><em>In early November, iceberg&nbsp;lettuce in Yuma, Ariz., was&nbsp;about a week away from&nbsp;harvest, says Mark Adamek,&nbsp;director of romaine, Artisan&nbsp;and mixed leaf production for Tanimura &amp; Antle Inc. (Photo courtesy Tanimura &amp; Antle Inc.)</em></p>
Leafy greens task force dives into outbreak issues

Diving into the issues surrounding the E. coli outbreak linked to chopped romaine lettuce from the Yuma region, the Leafy Greens Food Safety Task Force has divided into four working groups this summer.

More illnesses attributed to romaine; more retailers pulling product
More illnesses attributed to romaine; more retailers pulling product

Health officials in Montana and Arizona have attributed cases of E. coli infection to the multistate outbreak linked to chopped romaine from Arizona.

Processor recalls nearly 9,000 pounds of salad products with romaine
Processor recalls nearly 9,000 pounds of salad products with romaine

Fresh Foods Manufacturing Co. has recalled about 4 1/2 tons of salad products due to potential contamination with E. coli in wake of a CDC notice that 35 illnesses may be linked to chopped romaine lettuce from Arizona.

<p>FDA</p>
FDA program tests herbs and guacamole

Citing the lack of “kill steps” for three fresh herbs and a welcome environment for pathogens in guacamole and other processed avocado products, the Food and Drug Administration is testing them for pathogens.

<p>Week in Review Ashley Nickle January 12 2018</p>
Week in Review — Jan. 12

Staff writer Ashley Nickle recaps the top stories of the week of Jan. 8, from high trucking rates to the E. coli outbreaks to how weather across the country has been affecting crops.

<p>Ashley Nickle, staff writer</p>
Outbreaks underscore harsh supply chain realities

Even blockchain technology might not have prevented the latest food safety drama.

Romaine lettuce was featured in the "On the Horizon" section of the United Fresh Produce Association's Insights for Foodservice spring edition.
Industry deals with romaine resistance after outbreak

The recent E. coli outbreaks have caused consternation in the produce industry.