News and Stories

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several states and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 infections (STEC O157:H7) in 13 states. Seventeen illnesses have been reported from California (3), Connecticut (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Michigan (1), Nebraska (1), New Hampshire (2), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (1), Vermont (1) and Washington (1). Illnesses started on dates from November 15 through December 8, 2017. As previously shared in the December 21, 2017 Food Safety Update, attached, the Public Health Agency of Canada is also investigating an outbreak of STEC O157:H7 infections in several provinces that is linked to romaine lettuce.

What we know:

• CDC is performing whole genome sequencing on samples of bacteria making people sick in the United States to give us information about whether these illnesses are related to the illnesses in Canada.
• Preliminary results show that the type of E. coli making people sick in both countries is closely related genetically, meaning the ill people are more likely to share a common source of infection.
• The Public Health Agency of Canada has identified romaine lettuce as the source of the outbreak in Canada.
• In the United States, state and local public health officials are interviewing sick people to determine what they ate in the week before their illness started.
• CDC is still collecting information to determine whether there is a food item in common among sick people, including leafy greens and romaine.
• Seventeen illnesses from 13 states have been reported, California (3), Connecticut (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Michigan (1), Nebraska (1), New Hampshire (2), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (1), Vermont (1) and Washington (1).
• Illnesses started on dates from November 15 through December 8, 2017.

Because a source of the infections has not been identified in the United States, CDC is unable to recommend whether U.S. residents should avoid a particular food. This investigation is ongoing, and more information will be released as it becomes available.

To date, no product recalls have been initiated nor have the illnesses been traced back to a supplier, brand or region. Until more information is made available, Markon cannot issue recommendations regarding romaine product currently in the market. This is an active and ongoing outbreak investigation.

Markon is closely following this outbreak investigation and will continue to update members when more information becomes available.

Click here to view the CDC public notice.

For more information about E. Coli and details on the ongoing outbreak please click here for the CDC website.

Markon is closely following this outbreak investigation and will continue to update members when more information becomes available.

Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have any questions.

Lianna Kelly

Food Safety Director

©2017 Markon Cooperative, Inc. All rights reserved.