A Salmonella outbreak linked to romaine lettuce sickened 43 people, but the Food and Drug Administration closed its investigation with a 102-word notice, leaving the lettuce's brand and grower unnamed.
Here's what to know
The FDA did not disclose patients' ages or where they lived. By the time the agency confirmed the link to romaine lettuce, the implicated products were beyond their shelf life, Food Safety News reported.
"Once investigators had enough information to confirm romaine lettuce as the source of this outbreak, the products were past their shelf life and no longer available for sale," the FDA's outbreak notice said.
No samples tested positive for the outbreak strain. The FDA's investigation included following the products through the supply chain, visiting sites, and testing samples. Food Safety News reported that the agency did not name the inspection sites or say whether the samples came from manufacturing facilities or ready-to-sell products.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 29 Salmonella infections go undetected for every confirmed case. This outbreak involved Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-, and its actual illness count may have exceeded the number of confirmed cases.
Where can I learn more?
The romaine investigation leaves unanswered questions about how contaminated food is traced and reported. These stories cover lettuce outbreaks, recurring recalls, scrutiny of federal inspections, and Salmonella linked to oysters.
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• A U.S. lettuce-linked outbreak neared 20,000 cases, intensifying food-safety concerns ahead of midterm elections.
• Food safety experts say Trump administration cuts slowed the response to a Mexico-linked lettuce outbreak.
• Across the U.S., lettuce, jalapeños, and eggs have faced recalls as outbreaks accumulated.
• A U.S. Cyclospora outbreak put the FDA's 35% drop in foreign inspections under scrutiny.
• A Salmonella outbreak tied to Virginia oysters sickened 27, prompting recalls across 15 states.
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