FDA silent as E. Coli outbreak kills 1 and sickens dozens across 15 states

An outbreak that was associated with romaine lettuce has affected 15 states. At least one person died

In recent months, an E. Coli outbreak has spread across the US, found in 15 states. But you may not have heard of it.

The outbreak was associated with romaine lettuce, and it began in St. Louis County, Missouri, in November. Dozens of people got sick, and one person died. The Food and Drug Administration closed the investigation in February, but it never indicated what companies were responsible for the incident, according to NBC News.

E. Coli symptoms include diarrhea, often bloody, and severe abdominal cramps. People should seek medical attention if they show signs of E. Coli.

An internal report from the FDA acknowledged there was “no public communications related to this outbreak.” This is because by the time investigators found out where the lettuce was coming from, there was no longer any contaminated lettuce.

Though the FDA has no legal responsibility to detail information about any outbreak, it has been more transparent in recent years. Frank Yiannas, the former deputy commissioner of food policy and response at the agency, told NBC News the lack of information in this case is unsettling.

“It is disturbing that FDA hasn’t said anything more public or identified the name of a grower or processor,” he said.

A spokesperson for the FDA said in a statement: “The FDA names firms when there is enough evidence linking an outbreak to a firm and there is actionable advice for consumers, as long as naming the firm is not legally prohibited.

“By the time investigators had confirmed the likely source, the outbreak had already ended and there was no actionable advice for consumers.”

The St. Louis County Public Health Department eventually found at least 115 cases that were confirmed or probably linked to the romaine. There are now nine lawsuits from victims who accuse Taylor Farms, one of the US’ largest producers of fresh vegetables, of producing the romaine.

Taylor Farms has denied being the source of the outbreak. The company said: “We don’t believe Taylor Farms was the source of the referenced recent E. coli outbreaks, based on information collected during thorough third-party investigations and robust food safety controls.”

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