FDA investigating new E. coli outbreak; investigations ongoing in other E. coli and Listeria outbreaks
FDA investigating new E. coli outbreak; investigations ongoing in other E. coli and Listeria outbreaks
Federal officials are investigating a new outbreak of Enteroinvasive E. Coli O143:H26 infections but they have not yet identified a source of the pathogen.
The outbreak has sickened at least 16 people, but the Food and Drug Administration has not reported what states are involved. Also, the agency has not yet begun a traceback investigation. Consequently the FDA has not begun on-site inspections of any producers, processors or suppliers. No sampling or testing has been initiated.
As of Feb. 7 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had not posted any information on the outbreak, which is not unusual when a source has not been identified.
In another outbreak, this one involving E. coli O157:H7, the FDA is conducting sample analysis in relation to illnesses traced to Nature’s Basket Power Greens and Simple Truth Organic Power Greens. Ten people from four states have been confirmed as outbreak patients, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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.
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