E. coli investigation moves to California
E. coli investigation moves to California
The Iceberg lettuce identified as the most possible source of a multi-state E. coli outbreak in the Midwest came from California, but Michigan authorities say it is still unknown where the contamination originated.
The heads of lettuce supplied to Detroit-based Aunt Mid's Produce Co. for washing, cutting and bagging during the outbreak were identified as California lettuce, said Jennifer Horton, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. "We still don't know at which point it was contaminated," she said.
The California Department of Public Health has been in close communication with the Food & Drug Administration and Michigan officials concerning the multi-state outbreak, said Ken August, a CDPH spokesman, who confirmed that Iceberg lettuce was the "possible vehicle" in the outbreak and that California officials were on the case.
For the first time in the investigation, Michigan authorities released an Oct. 14 fact sheet on the E. coli outbreak, which has hospitalized 21 of the 38 people sickened in the state.
"Based upon analysis of scientific evidence from the [Michigan Department of Community Health's] epidemiological investigation, Iceberg lettuce has been identified as the source of the illness outbreak," said the fact sheet. "Case- control studies performed independently in Michigan and in Illinois both identified Iceberg lettuce as the common source of illness."
Tests of product and environmental samples after the outbreak timeframe at Aunt Mid's facility have come back negative for E. coli, and no new cases of E. coli O157:H7 have been linked to this outbreak in Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Health.
Aunt Mid's, which has resumed its Iceberg lettuce product line, agreed to monitor and test each lot of processed Iceberg lettuce for 30 days and be subjected to random production and record checks.
"We're following it closely and awaiting more information," said Jim Bogart, president of the Growers-Shippers Association of Central California, based in Salinas.
Scott Horsfall, chief executive officer of the California Leafy Greens Products Handler Marketing Agreement, said that he was reluctant to comment until more information was available. "Until we see a report or someone shares information with us, there's not much to say."
When asked about the implications of a California leafy green product implicated in an E. coli probe, he said "Until we know more, we don't know the implications."
Another representative of the fresh produce industry voiced concern about the handling of this investigation so far, questioning whether any lessons were learned from this summer's Salmonella outbreak that implicated tomatoes and hot peppers.
"There still appears to be a lack of command-and-control structure, even though this was a multi-state outbreak," said Amy Philpott, vice president of communications for United Fresh Produce Association. "We think this needs to be changed."
She added, "Industry and government must work together to improve outbreak management. This includes having a clear command-and-control structure, using a transparent outbreak identification process, including industry experts in the outbreak investigation process, and clearly defining risk."
And with no one in charge, information comes "dribbling out" to the media without a risk communication plan in place, she said.
The heads of lettuce supplied to Detroit-based Aunt Mid's Produce Co. for washing, cutting and bagging during the outbreak were identified as California lettuce, said Jennifer Horton, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. "We still don't know at which point it was contaminated," she said.
The California Department of Public Health has been in close communication with the Food & Drug Administration and Michigan officials concerning the multi-state outbreak, said Ken August, a CDPH spokesman, who confirmed that Iceberg lettuce was the "possible vehicle" in the outbreak and that California officials were on the case.
For the first time in the investigation, Michigan authorities released an Oct. 14 fact sheet on the E. coli outbreak, which has hospitalized 21 of the 38 people sickened in the state.
"Based upon analysis of scientific evidence from the [Michigan Department of Community Health's] epidemiological investigation, Iceberg lettuce has been identified as the source of the illness outbreak," said the fact sheet. "Case- control studies performed independently in Michigan and in Illinois both identified Iceberg lettuce as the common source of illness."
Tests of product and environmental samples after the outbreak timeframe at Aunt Mid's facility have come back negative for E. coli, and no new cases of E. coli O157:H7 have been linked to this outbreak in Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Health.
Aunt Mid's, which has resumed its Iceberg lettuce product line, agreed to monitor and test each lot of processed Iceberg lettuce for 30 days and be subjected to random production and record checks.
"We're following it closely and awaiting more information," said Jim Bogart, president of the Growers-Shippers Association of Central California, based in Salinas.
Scott Horsfall, chief executive officer of the California Leafy Greens Products Handler Marketing Agreement, said that he was reluctant to comment until more information was available. "Until we see a report or someone shares information with us, there's not much to say."
When asked about the implications of a California leafy green product implicated in an E. coli probe, he said "Until we know more, we don't know the implications."
Another representative of the fresh produce industry voiced concern about the handling of this investigation so far, questioning whether any lessons were learned from this summer's Salmonella outbreak that implicated tomatoes and hot peppers.
"There still appears to be a lack of command-and-control structure, even though this was a multi-state outbreak," said Amy Philpott, vice president of communications for United Fresh Produce Association. "We think this needs to be changed."
She added, "Industry and government must work together to improve outbreak management. This includes having a clear command-and-control structure, using a transparent outbreak identification process, including industry experts in the outbreak investigation process, and clearly defining risk."
And with no one in charge, information comes "dribbling out" to the media without a risk communication plan in place, she said.
