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FDA Faces Criticism Over Withholding Deadly E. coli Outbreak Details

The agency did not disclose a late-2024 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce that sickened 89 people, citing the outbreak's conclusion and lack of actionable advice.

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The E. coli outbreak was traced to romaine lettuce, but no brands were named.
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Overview

  • An E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in late 2024, tied to romaine lettuce, caused 89 cases, 36 hospitalizations, and one death across 15 U.S. states.
  • The FDA did not publicly disclose the outbreak or name the implicated grower, stating the outbreak had ended and no contaminated product remained in commerce.
  • Food safety advocates and former FDA officials argue the decision undermines public trust and consumer safety, emphasizing the importance of transparency.
  • Lawsuits have been filed against Taylor Farms, alleging responsibility for the tainted lettuce, though the company denies involvement based on internal investigations.
  • Critics highlight recent FDA staffing cuts, which reduced public communication capacity, as a factor in the agency's limited response to the outbreak.