FDA Continues Investigating Source of E. coli Outbreak in Romaine Lettuce

WASHINGTON – As of January 9, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce grown in California appears to be over. Contaminated romaine that made people sick in this outbreak should no longer be available on the market. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will continue its investigation into potential sources and contributing factors that led to the outbreak to inform future prevention efforts.

The Public Health Agency of Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency also coordinated with U.S. agencies as they investigated a similar outbreak in Canada. On December 24, PHAC reported that the outbreak in Canada had ended.

Since contaminated romaine that made people sick in this outbreak should no longer be available on the market, consumers need not avoid romaine lettuce grown in specific regions. Based on discussions with producers and distributors, romaine lettuce will now be voluntarily labeled with a harvest location and a harvest date or labeled as being hydroponically (greenhouse) grown. Romaine lettuce with the more detailed labeling is available in stores. Consumers should look for signs in stores where labels are not an option.

There is currently no recommendation for restaurants and retailers to avoid serving or selling any romaine lettuce currently on the market. The agency continues to recommend that romaine lettuce is labeled with a harvest location and a harvest date or labeled as being hydroponically (greenhouse) grown on each bag of romaine lettuce, or that there is signage when labels are not an option.