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                Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness

Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness

                        Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Public Health Advisories from Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Food Safety Tips for Consumers & Retailers During an Outbreak of Foodborne Illness
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                        Foodborne Pathogens Home
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          Recalls, Outbreaks & Emergencies
          Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness
          Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Unknown Food (Fall 2020)Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Unknown Food (Fall 2020)
  
  					FDA announces completion of two E. coli outbreak investigations.
	
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    PrintThe FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, have completed the investigation on two of three multistate outbreak of *E. coli* O157:H7 infections in the U.S. this fall.

One of these investigations, Outbreak Unknown Source 3, identified 18 reported illnesses in nine states: California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington.

FDA completed a traceback investigation of several potential food vehicles identified in patient interviews and although no single farm was identified as a common source of the outbreak, FDA and state partners also conducted on-site investigations on farms of interest. However, information and samples collected in these inspections did not link these farms to the outbreak. The investigation of a farm does not mean that the farm is linked to an outbreak. The results of an investigation into a farm may well lead to that firm being ruled out of the investigation. On 12/18/2020, the CDC announced that this outbreak had ended.

The other completed outbreak investigation, Outbreak Unknown Source 1, identified 32 reported illnesses in 12 states: California, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Jersey, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin. This strain of *E. coli* is genetically similar to a strain linked to a romaine outbreak that occurred in the spring of 2018, though a food was not linked to the current outbreak. FDA completed a traceback investigation and was unable to determine a common source of the outbreak. FDA and state partners also conducted on-site inspections on farms of interest, though information collected in these inspections did not link these farms to the outbreak. On 12/18/2020, the CDC announced that this outbreak had ended.

Investigations of a third *E. coli* outbreak of Unknown Source 2 continue.

Recommendation

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers, were advised not to eat, sell, or serve recalled Tanimura & Antle, Inc. brand packaged single head romaine lettuce with a pack date of 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020.

The recalled products are now well beyond expiration and likely no longer on the market or in consumers’ homes.


Product Images

Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7 in Unknown Food (Fall 2020) - Single Head Romaine
Recall Information

On November 6, 2020, Tanimura & Antle, Inc. recalled single head romaine lettuce under the Tanimura & Antle brand, labeled with a packed on date of 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020, due to possible contamination with *E. Coli* O157:H7. Packages contain a single head of romaine lettuce with the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9.

According to Tanimura & Antle, potentially affected product was distributed to the following states: AK, OR, CA, TX, AR, OK, IN, NE, MO, TN, WI, NM, SC, WA, NC, OH, VA, MA, PR, and IL, but product could have been further distributed, reaching additional states, including MI.

Product was shipped in cases packed in either 12, 15, 18 or 24 heads per case. Retailers and distributors can identify the potentially affected products through the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) sticker attached to exterior of the case. The PTI codes are 571280289SRS1 and 571280290SRS1.

U.S. Distribution Map of Recalled Tanimura & Antle, Inc. Single Head Romaine Lettuce

Product Distribution*: AK, OR, CA, TX, AR, OK, IN, NE, MI, MO, TN, WI, NM, SC, WA, NC, OH, VA, MA, PR, IL

Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7 in Unknown Food (Fall 2020)  - U.S. Distribution Map of Recalled Tanimura & Antle Single Head Romaine Lettuce 11/10/2020
*States with confirmed distribution; product could have been distributed further

Case Counts

For these outbreaks, case counts are found on CDC’s website:

CDC's Outbreak Page: Unknown Source 1
	CDC’s Outbreak Page: Unknown Source 2
	CDC’s Outbreak Page: Unknown Source 3


Useful Links

Food Safety Tips for Retailers and Consumers During an Outbreak
	Food Safety Resources for Produce Shippers and Carriers During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak
	Who to Contact
	What is *E. coli*?
	FDA In Brief: FDA Announces Investigations of Two Outbreaks of *E. coli* O157:H7 Illnesses
	CDC's Outbreak Page: Unknown Source 1
	CDC’s Outbreak Page: Unknown Source 2
	CDC’s Outbreak Page: Unknown Source 3
	Michigan Consumer Advisory: Romaine lettuce grown by Tanimura & Antle tests positive for *E. coli*
	Recall Notice: Tanimura & Antle Voluntary Recalls Packaged Single Head Romaine Lettuce Due to Potential *E. Coli* O157:H7 Contamination


Previous Updates

November 12, 2020

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, is investigating illnesses in a third multistate outbreak of *E.coli* O157:H7 infections this Fall.

On November 6, 2020, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) reported that as a part of routine sampling, they collected a product sample of romaine lettuce for testing. The sample tested positive for *E. coli* O157:H7 and subsequent whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis determined that the *E. coli* O157:H7 present in the samples matches the strain that has caused illnesses in this outbreak.

The strain of *E. coli* found in the Michigan sample is a third distinct strain not genetically related to the strains causing two distinct multi-state outbreaks of Shiga-toxin producing *E. coli* O157:H7 (STEC) that FDA and CDC announced on October 28, 2020. At this time, a specific food has not been linked to either of those outbreaks.

On November 6, 2020, Tanimura & Antle, Inc. recalled packaged single head romaine lettuce with a pack date of 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020 due to possible contamination with *E. coli* O157:H7. The firm recalled this product based on test results from a product sample collected and analyzed by MDARD before the WGS analysis showing the match to the outbreak strain was completed.

FDA and state partners are working with the firm to determine if additional romaine should be recalled.

At this time, there is not enough epidemiologic and traceback evidence to determine if ill people in this outbreak were exposed to romaine lettuce from Tanimura & Antle, Inc. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.

Who to Contact

**Consumers who have symptoms**should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a **complaint**or **adverse event**(illness or serious allergic reaction), you can

Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinatorif you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.
	Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online.
	Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to FDA.

Submit Questions/Get Assistance

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                                                                                  Content current as of:
      12/18/2020
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Food & BeveragesTopic(s)
			  OutbreakOutbreaks of Foodborne Illness

          
                        Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Public Health Advisories from Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
          Food Safety Tips for Consumers & Retailers During an Outbreak of Foodborne Illness
          Food Safety Resources for Produce Shippers and Carriers During a Foodborne Illness Outbreak
          Outbreak Investigation Reports
          How to Report Seafood-Related Toxin and Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning Illnesses
          About the CORE Network
          CORE Annual Reports
          CORE Publications


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