The romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has grown to include 59 people in 15 states, according to an update posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an addition of seven more ill persons since the last update was posted on December 6, 2018. Twenty-three people have been hospitalized, and two people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. There are 27 people in Canada who are sick with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. All epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence from both countries indicates that this outbreak is linked to romaine lettuce harvested from the Central Coastal growing regions of northern and central California. The case count by state is: California (12), Connecticut (1), … [Read more...]
FDA Names Adam Bros Farming in Romaine E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak
The FDA has named one farm in California where the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 linked to romaine lettuce was found. The farm is a ranch owned and operated by Adam Bros Farming, Inc., in Santa Barbara County. The bacteria was found in the sediment of an agricultural reservoir at the ranch. The bacteria matches those collected from patients who were sickened in this outbreak. Officials used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to identify the strain. The FDA has confirmed that Adam Bros Farming has not shipped any romaine since November er 20, 2018. Officials are working at the farm to try to discover how the contamination occurred and what actions should be taken before the next growing season begins. Adams Bros Farming is cooperating with the FDA and CDC and will recall … [Read more...]
Salmonella Newport Outbreak Linked to Ground Beef Grows to 333 Sick
The Salmonella Newport outbreak that is linked to ground beef from JBS Tolleson has grown to include 333 people sick in 28 states. Ninety-one people have been hospitalized. That's an addition of 87 more patients since the last notice was published in November 2018. Those additional 87 ill people live in 16 states. New states added to the outbreak count are Michigan, Mississippi, and West Virginia. Illness onset dates range from August 5, 2018 to November 9, 2018. The patient age range is from less than one year to 99. The hospitalization rate in this outbreak, which is 33%, is higher than the typical hospitalization rate for a Salmonella outbreak, which is 20%. The states with the most ill persons are Arizona, with 50, California, with 107, and Colorado, with 58. Of the 227 … [Read more...]
FDA Narrows Scope of E. coli Romaine Lettuce Outbreak
The FDA has narrowed the scope of the E. coli O157:H7 romaine lettuce outbreak investigation. The outbreak has grown from the latest update in November 2018, with 52 people now sick. The FDA states in their latest romaine lettuce outbreak update that "Traceback information from four restaurants in three different states so far has implicated 10 different distributors, 12 different growers, and 11 different farms as potential sources of the contaminated lettuce. The information indicates that the outbreak cannot be explained by a single farm, grower, harvester, or distributor." However, they have not named those distributors, growers, or farms. The FDA's Produce Safety Network is assisting with the investigation. This network includes personnel from the FDA's Center for Food … [Read more...]
California Hard Hit by JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak
California has been hard hit by the ground beef Salmonella outbreak linked to a 12-million-pound recall. About one-quarter of all illnesses reported in this outbreak, 66 of the 246 total, have occurred in California. It's also the state with most grocery stores affected by the massive recall. “More than 100 stores in California sold the recalled beef,” said Ryan Osterholm, a Salmonella lawyer with the national food safety law firm Pritzker Hageman. "No other state has even half that number." The outbreak, which was announced on October 4, 2018, includes 246 people in 25 states, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fifty-nine people got so sick they need to be hospitalized. Other states reporting illnesses linked to this … [Read more...]
FDA Names California Counties Where Contaminated Romaine Was Grown
The FDA has updated its investigation into the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce grown in the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California. They have now named the California counties where they believe the lettuce was grown. Remember, most of the patients in this outbreak live in California. The specific California counties include Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura. More counties may be added to this list as the FDA traceback develops. Romaine lettuce that was harvested from locations outside of the specific California regions identified, along with lettuce that is grown hydroponically and in greenhouses. The FDA lifted its recommendation the consumers avoid all romaine lettuce. Romaine lettuce … [Read more...]
Romaine Lettuce E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak: CDC Releases Info
The CDC has released information about the romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened dozens in the U.S. and Canada. Officials now say that they think the contaminated lettuce was grown in the Central Coastal growing regions in northern and central California. That means that the warning to avoid all romaine lettuce products has been "narrowed." In other words, if you know that the romaine lettuce you are going to buy is definitely not from that California growing region, it is safe to eat. If you don't know where the romaine lettuce is from, do not eat it. The FDA has reached an agreement with romaine growers and distributors to start labeling romaine, whether it's bagged or sold as whole heads, with a harvest location by region. It may take some time before … [Read more...]
E. coli O157:H7 Romaine Outbreak Grows to 43 Sick; 16 Hospitalized
The FDA has updated the E. coli O157:H7 romaine lettuce outbreak. Now 43 people in 12 states are sick. That's an increase of 11 patients since the last update on November 20, 2018. Sixteen people have been hospitalized, and one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The case count by state is: California (11), Connecticut (1), Illinois (2), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (1), Michigan (7), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (9), New York (5), Ohio (1), Rhode Island (1), and Wisconsin (1). The patient age range is from 1 to 74 years. Of the 38 people who were interviewed by officials, 16, or 42%, have been hospitalized. The illness onset date range is from October 8 to October 31, 2018. There is new evidence about where the romaine that sickened … [Read more...]
Romaine Lettuce Implicated in E. coli Outbreak Grown in California; Some May Sue
The romaine lettuce that is implicated in the multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak may have been grown in California, according to a tweet posted by Dr. Scott Gottlieb, head of the FDA. The tweet states, "The romaine implicated in the current outbreak is likely from California based on growing and harvesting patterns. The goal now is to withdraw the product that's at risk of being contaminated from the market, and then re-stock the market." He continues, "New romaine from different growing regions, including Florida and Arizona, will soon be harvested. We're working with growers and distributors on labeling produce for location and harvest dates and possibly other ways of information consumers that the product is "post-purge." In this outbreak, as of the last update three days … [Read more...]
Another Romaine Lettuce E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Announced; Some May Sue
Another romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The language from the government is very strong: "CDC is advising that U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until we learn more about the outbreak." Thirty-two people in 11 states are sick in this outbreak. Thirteen people have been hospitalized. The case count by state is: California (10), Connecticut (1), Illinois (2), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (1), Michigan (7), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (3), New York (2), Ohio (1), and Wisconsin (1). Illness onset dates range from October 8 to October 31, 2018. One person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. It's very … [Read more...]
