FDA begins on-site inspection in E. coli outbreak linked to packaged salad

The FDA has closed its investigation into a Salmonella Javiana outbreak linked to cut cantaloupe with the patient count standing at 65. The agency did not release any other information about the outbreak. 

In other outbreak news reported on Jan. 19, the Food and Drug Administration said it has initiated onsite inspection in relation to an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to packaged salad. The FDA is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the investigation.

In its most recent update, posted on Jan. 6, the CDC reported 10 people from four states have been infected in the E. coli outbreak. Illnesses started on dates ranging from Nov. 27, 2021, to Dec. 9, 2021. No deaths had been reported as of that update, but four of the 10 patients had been hospitalized. One patient developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

“The true number of sick people in an outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak,” according to the CDC outbreak notice.

“State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Nine people reported eating Organic Power Greens sold under the Simple Truth Organic brand (8) and the Nature’s Basket brand (1), and seven people’s shopper records showed the purchase of these products. Both brands of Organic Power Greens have the same mix of leafy greens: organic spinach, mizuna, kale, and chard.”

In addition to the closed outbreak investigation related to cut cantaloupe, the table below shows ongoing outbreak investigations being managed by FDA’s CORE Response Teams. The investigations are in a variety of stages. Some outbreaks have limited information with active investigations ongoing, others may be near completion. The table below has been abbreviated to show only active investigations.

The Food and Drug Administration will issue public health advisories for outbreak investigations that result in “specific, actionable steps for consumers — such as throwing out or avoiding specific foods — to take to protect themselves,” according to the outbreak table page.

Not all recalls and alerts result in an outbreak of foodborne illness. Not all outbreaks result in recalls.

Outbreak investigations that do not result in specific, actionable steps for consumers may or may not conclusively identify a source or reveal any contributing factors, according to CORE’s outbreak table page. If a source(s) and/or contributing factors are identified that could inform future prevention, FDA commits to providing a summary of those findings, according to CORE officials.

Click here to visit the FDA page that has a complete list of outbreak investigations and links to outbreak information.

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