FDA says E. coli outbreaks have strains related to past romaine events
The Food and Drug Administration 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.
“There is no information currently to indicate that people should avoid any specific food,” Frank Yiannas, FDA deputy commissioner for food policy and response, said in an Oct. 28 news release.
The FDA released information on the E.coli O157:H7 outbreaks:
- Twenty-three cases are from an E. coli strain related to a 2019 outbreak traced to romaine in the California Central Coast (Salinas) region; and
- Twenty-one cases, and one death, is from an E. coli strain related to a 2018 outbreak linked to romaine and “environmental isolates” from the Yuma, Ariz., area.
“We do not know what food is causing people to get sick or whether it involves an FDA-regulated food product,” Yiannas said in the release. “However, we have seen similar recurring, emerging or persistent strains of E. coli in recent outbreaks.
“E. coli O157:H7 can contaminate many foods, and we cannot assume that the current outbreaks are linked to historically associated foods like romaine and other leafy greens,” he said in the release.
The FDA is committed to transparency and early communication, he said, and is working to include a new resource on its website to provide early updates on investigations.
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FDA: Romaine surveillance, testing program on the way
