After ground beef, leafy greens are the most common source of E. coli outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But are some salad greens riskier than others? According to a recent report from the CDC, the answer is, yes.
The study, entitled Lessons Learned from a Decade of Investigations of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Outbreaks Linked to Leafy Greens, United States and Canada, examined 40 E. coli outbreaks linked to leafy greens from 2009 through 2018.
Together, these outbreaks were associated with 1,212 illnesses, 420 hospitalizations, 77 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (of a form of kidney failure associated with E. coli infections) and eight deaths.
Most of the outbreaks, 31, occurred in the United States, four took place in Canada and five included both countries
Health officials were able to identify a single specific leafy green as the source in 24 of the outbreaks. Of those, romaine lettuce was identified more often than any other type of leafy green, accounting for more than half of the outbreaks (13). Spinach and iceberg were each linked to four outbreaks; and cabbage, green leaf, and kale were each associated with one.
Most of the outbreaks weren’t publically announced by federal agencies, as leafy greens were usually out of the supply chain by the time investigators had identified them as the source. Of the nine that were announced, a product recall was issued in five. The recalls included bagged shredded romaine, shredded iceberg and romaine, bagged spinach and spring mix; and ready-to-eat salads and sandwich wraps containing romaine.
As the report’s name suggests, some lessons have been learned from the investigations of these outbreaks, but many of the underlying problems that stymie these investigations, such as poor record-keeping, lack of traceability, inadequate testing and the continued use of untreated water from irrigation ditches, persist. So do the outbreaks.
Since 2018, leafy greens were identified as the confirmed or suspected source of five E. coli outbreaks, three of which occurred this year. The outbreaks, which were announced this fall by the CDC as E. coli outbreaks with unknown sources, ended unsolved after sickening dozens of people.
And some of these leafy green E. coli outbreaks are linked to each other. Over the last three years, there have been nine E. coli outbreaks linked to the same E. coli strain, the same romaine lettuce grower, or both.
If you developed an E. coli infection from contaminated romaine lettuce or other leafy greens and would like a free consultation with an experienced E. coli lawyer, please contact our E. coli Legal Team. We have represented clients in every major E. coli outbreak in the U.S. You can reach us by calling 1-888-377-8900, sending a text to 612-261-0856, or by completing the form below. The consultation is free and there is no obligation