A widespread E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce has raised criticism from public health experts and sparked nine lawsuits against a produce company. The outbreak, which affected 15 states over four months, left dozens hospitalized and one person dead.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has come under scrutiny for not publicly disclosing the outbreak’s details, despite an internal report revealing that the agency did not inform the public about the contaminated food. The outbreak began in St. Louis County, Missouri, in early November 2024 and was officially closed by the FDA in February without sharing information on the source or affected companies.
An internal FDA report obtained by NBC News stated that the agency did not name companies due to a lack of infected lettuce left at the time of investigation. The report also noted one death but did not disclose further details. The FDA claimed it did not share information about the outbreak because there was no actionable advice for consumers, despite naming firms when evidence linked outbreaks to specific companies.
The outbreak is attributed to E. coli 0157:H7, a particularly dangerous strain that can cause severe side effects such as watery diarrhea and vomiting. The Cleveland Clinic describes E. coli as a group of bacteria that can infect the gut, urinary tract, and other parts of the body.
Nine lawsuits have been filed against Taylor Farms, a California-based company that produces fresh salads and vegetables, alleging their lettuce caused the outbreak. However, the company denies these claims, stating they conducted thorough investigations and robust food safety controls. The FDA denied its response to the outbreak was out of the ordinary, but acknowledged it names firms when evidence links outbreaks to specific companies.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially stated that the outbreak had ended in January, with the investigation changed from active to closed in February. Attorneys requested public records after lawsuits were filed, leading to the release of the FDA’s internal report on the outbreak.
Source: https://people.com/deadly-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-lettuce-found-in-15-states-but-fda-hasn-t-publicized-it-11717185