FDA Fast Facts: FDA, CDC and partners continue to investigate E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce
For Immediate Release: May 7, 2018
Media Inquiries: Peter Cassell, 240-402-6537, peter.cassell@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with state and local partners, are continuing to investigate the multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region. We are working to identify multiple distribution channels to explain the entirety of the nationwide outbreak and are tracing back from multiple clusters of ill people located in diverse geographic areas to the most likely, individual sources in the Yuma region.
"Once public health officials linked multiple illnesses nationwide to romaine lettuce sourced from the Yuma growing region, federal officials immediately put out a public warning so consumers had actionable information to prevent them from getting sick and to encourage those who may be affected to seek the advice of their healthcare professional," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. "Our thoughts are with the family of the person who passed away, and I’m committed to providing consumers with more information to protect themselves and their families. Right now, we haven’t identified a common supplier, farm, or distributor to effectuate a recall. We know that the outbreak originated with romaine lettuce sourced from the Yuma region and are using public alerts to share as much information as we can with consumers. Our investigation is continuing and we’ll provide regular updates as more information becomes available. Since romaine lettuce is no longer being produced and distributed from the Yuma growing region, the potential for additional exposure to contaminated product is diminished. But due to the 21-day shelf life, we can’t be certain that all of the product from this region is out of the supply chain."
The following is an update on the outbreak investigation.
Snapshots | By the Numbers (as of 5/4) |
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Outbreak Investigation Summary
| Outbreak Investigation
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The FDA is continuing to investigate this outbreak and will share more information as it becomes available. For more information on this investigation:
- FDA’s E. coli outbreak investigation website
- Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections
- Foodsafety.gov on Food Poisoning - E. coli
- CDC E. coli homepage
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The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines, and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.