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The FDA is still working to determine the source of an E. coli outbreak tied to Arizona romaine, and the produce industry has noticed customers altering purchase patterns as consumers question whether romaine is safe.

The CDC has added 14 more cases to the E. coli outbreak linked to Arizona romaine, bringing the total to 98 and making this outbreak the largest since contaminated spinach sickened more than 200 people in 2006.

Growers, marketers, buyers, researchers and others will be taking a comprehensive look at production practices as part of the new Leafy Greens Food Safety Task Force.

Four more deaths have been reported in connection with the E. coli outbreak linked to Arizona romaine.

Of course, it’s not just consumer groups that are frustrated with the lack of traceback success with the Yuma-E. coli-romaine lettuce connection.

The Food and Drug Administration is urging the produce industry and various organizations studying how E. coli came into contact with romaine grown in Yuma, Ariz., to continue working with the agency on the issue.

Federal agencies are asking romaine lettuce shippers to stop packing and selling their product as a second E. coli outbreak traced to the lettuce is under investigation.

Industry associations have responded to an E. coli outbreak linked to romaine, asking growers and shippers to “make a hard, convincing and clean break” until the outbreak is declared over.

Investigators continue to search for the source of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 172 people in 32 states, but a straightforward solution has not been forthcoming.

The FDA is still working to find answers to the fundamental questions about the outbreak tied to Arizona romaine, more than one month after the initial alert was issued by the CDC.