The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is firing fire for failing to publish its own report Escherichia coli development According to a TKTKT report, it spread to 15 states last year, infecting 89 people, one of which died.
The outbreak was linked to romaine lettuce – the first case has been recorded in St. Louis County Missouri Early November 2024 – However, the agency was unable to confirm the source of the investigation.
A total of 36 people were hospitalized, and seven developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney disorder. Details regarding the death are unknown. E. coli was 0157:H7. This is a particularly dangerous strain that can cause severe illness.
This coloured scanning electron microscope image, released by a center for disease control and prevention, shows E. coli bacteria in O157:H7 strain, which can cause disease through potent toxins. (Janice Haney Carr/CDC via AP)
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According to an FDA report, about 95% of infected people reported eating lush greenery, and 88% could be reminded of consuming Romaine Lettuce. The report was revealed later NBC News They sought a request for public records relating to the ongoing lawsuit.
FDA tracebacks led to single growers and processors, and Romaine traced them to general ranches and lots. However, by the time investigators learned where E. coli came from, there was no infected lettuce left, so the agency was unable to confirm the outbreak as connected to the location.
Seven subclusters were identified, including catering events, restaurants and schools.
The FDA then concluded its final report in February, compiling the names of the common ranches it examined.
Furthermore, despite the severity of the outbreak, the FDA did not publicly release the findings of the investigation. “There was no public communication related to this outbreak,” the FDA said in its report.
That’s concern, said Frank Iannas, former deputy commissioner of food policy and response at the FDA.
“It’s bothering that the FDA hasn’t made any more public or that it hasn’t identified the names of the growers or processors,” Yiannas told NBC News.
He argued that by choosing not to identify the person responsible, the FDA withheld critical information that could help consumers make informed choices about their purchases. He also said that some individuals may have become ill during the outbreak without knowing the source, and serious bacterial infections can lead to permanent health effects.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been attacked last year for not releasing its own reports of an outbreak of E. coli that spread across 15 states and infecting 89 people. (istock)
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In a statement to the NBC, the FDA said that if there is sufficient evidence to link them to the outbreak and that “if there is practical advice to consumers, they have given the company a name unless the company is legally prohibited from naming it.,“The spokesman said in a statement to NBC News: “By the time investigators confirmed possible sources, the outbreak was already over and there was no practical advice for consumers.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the FDA for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
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NBC reports that nine lawsuits have now been filed against California-based Taylor Farms. It reports that it is one of the country’s largest producers of salads and fresh vegetables. They alleged in court documents that Taylor Farm sold “flawed and unjustly dangerous” food.
Taylor Farms denied that it was the cause of the outbreak in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“The Taylor Farms products were not the source of the 2024 E. coli outbreak that was referenced. All products have undergone extensive RAW and finished product testing and there was no evidence of contamination,” the statement said.
“Reports linking Taylor Farms products to these heartbreaking illnesses are dangerous, irresponsible and unfair to affected families.”
The company said 0157:H7 comes from livestock, not from fresh produce. According to Tayor Farms, the FDA has no authority to inspect the beef industry and has not been able to find a source of the outbreak.
The company said all of the lush greenery is exposed to robust sampling and pathogen testing programs.
The outbreak came a few weeks after the outbreak of McDonald’s E. coli Linked to Taylor Farms.
Taylor Farms supplies McDonald’s with the sliver onion used in the popular Quarter Pounder Burger. The farm voluntarily remembered the onion and killed one after the outbreak infected more than 100 people.
According to the CDC, a widespread E. coli outbreak is linked to McDonald’s products. (istock)
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Statement provided by a spokesman for Taylor Farms To KSBW At the time, “We tested both the raw and completed products of pathogens and found no traces of E. coli.
“Due to the abundant attention, Taylor Farms Colorado has removed yellow onions from markets produced from its Colorado facility and continues to work closely with the FDA and CDC during this ongoing investigation,” the statement added. “Our priorities are the health and well-being of our customers and our consumers, as well as product safety and quality.”
Taylor Farms is headquartered in Salinas, but there are several facilities across the country, including one in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Jasmine Baehr of Fox News contributed to this report.
