Food Safety
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
  • SIGN UP!
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • NEWS
  • Latest News
  • White Papers
  • TOPICS
  • Contamination Control
  • Food Types
  • Management
  • Process Control
  • Regulatory
  • Sanitation
  • Supply Chain
  • Testing and Analysis
  • EXCLUSIVES
  • Food Safety Five Newsreel
  • eBooks
  • FSM Distinguished Service Award
  • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • Videos
  • MORE
  • ENEWSLETTER >
  • Store
  • Sponsor Insights
  • ENEWSLETTER >
  • Archive Issues
  • Subscribe to eNews
  • EMAG
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Editorial Advisory Board
  • Contact
  • Advertise
Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
NewsContamination ControlFood TypeRegulatoryMicrobiologicalProduceFDA

Uncovered: FDA Did Not Disclose Fatal E. coli Outbreak Linked to Lettuce in 2024

By Food Safety Magazine Editorial Team
romaine lettuce crops

Image credit: Freepik

April 17, 2025

According to an internal U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report uncovered by NBC News, an Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak sickened 89 people across 15 states in November 2024, resulting in 36 hospitalizations, seven cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and one death. FDA made its first public mention of the outbreak in its Coordinated Outbreak and Response Evaluation (CORE) Investigations Table after the investigation was closed, but did not disclose details about the outbreak nor the implicated firms.

Per the internal FDA report, the agency made no public communications about the outbreak and firms were not named because there was no relevant product remaining in commerce by the time FDA opened its investigation.

Many patients fell ill after eating salads at catered events, schools, and restaurants. Cases were reported in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that the cases were genetically related.

Epidemiological and traceback investigations pointed to romaine lettuce, provided by a sole processor that sourced the lettuce from a single grower, as the vehicle of illness. Additionally, romaine lettuce that made people sick was traced back to a common ranch and lot. FDA conducted an on-farm investigation at the grower of interest, but the agency made no notable observations.

Although no grower or firm was officially implicated or named by FDA, Bill Marler, a prominent personal injury attorney most known for representing foodborne illness victims and one of the original sources that reported on the undisclosed E. coli outbreak, has filed several lawsuits against Taylor Farms, based in California’s Salinas Valley, in relation to the outbreak. On why he filed lawsuits against Taylor Farms, Mr. Marler said, by looking at WGS data, "[The Marler Clark law firm's] on-staff epidemiologist determined that the common link was that all clients consumed Taylor Farms romaine lettuce in the outbreak period." Taylor Farms, however, refutes this assertion, saying, "Taylor Farms product WAS NOT the source of the referenced 2024 E. coli outbreak. We perform extensive raw and finished product testing on all our product and there was no evidence of contamination.” The company also said that it is "considering all legal action to defend itself," highlighting its pathogen testing program, use of verified wash systems, and continuous improvements to its food safety program supported by third-party certifications.

FDA declined to comment on whether Taylor Farms produced the implicated lettuce, saying it was restricted by federal law from disclosing confidential commercial information. Regarding any potentially involved firm, the internal FDA report said, “No product or firm actions were taken by FDA during this investigation… [redacted firm] performed an internal investigation to review production and testing data as well as distribution patterns. The firm confirmed that both the raw material testing and finished product testing of the lot did not indicate the presence of E. coli. [Redacted firm] reported taking additional investigative steps, including an onsite review of the [redacted] ranch.”

Frank Yiannas, former FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response, explained in a statement provided by Taylor Farms, "If FDA lacked sufficient scientific evidence to publicly identify a farm or firm, it would make sense for them not to name a company," as it would "do more harm than good." In a statement to NBC News, Mr. Yiannas also called FDA's lack of transparency about the outbreak "disturbing."

KEYWORDS: E. coli foodborne illness leafy greens outbreak investigations

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Fsm purple logo 200x200

The Food Safety Magazine editorial team comprises Bailee Henderson, Digital Editor ✉; Adrienne Blume, M.A., Editorial Director; and Stacy Atchison, Publisher.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • people holding baby chicks

    Serovar Differences Matter: Utility of Deep Serotyping in Broiler Production and Processing

    This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in...
    Methods
    By: Nikki Shariat Ph.D.
  • woman washing hands

    Building a Culture of Hygiene in the Food Processing Plant

    Everyone entering a food processing facility needs to...
    Training
    By: Richard F. Stier, M.S.
  • graphical representation of earth over dirt

    Climate Change and Emerging Risks to Food Safety: Building Climate Resilience

    This article examines the multifaceted threats to food...
    Risk Assessment
    By: Maria Cristina Tirado Ph.D., D.V.M. and Shamini Albert Raj M.A.
Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Subscribe to eNewsletter
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Website Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

Food Safety Five Ep. 10: Scientific Advancements in Listeria Knowledge and Detection

Food Safety Five Ep. 10: Scientific Advancements in Listeria Knowledge and Detection

Food Safety Five Ep. 12: New Sanitation and Growth Prediction Methods for Listeria

Food Safety Five Ep. 12: New Sanitation and Growth Prediction Methods for Listeria

Food Safety Five Ep. 9: Major Changes at FDA, CDC, USDA Under Trump Administration

Food Safety Five Ep. 9: Major Changes at FDA, CDC, USDA Under Trump Administration

Food Safety Five Ep. 11: New Foodborne Illness Data and Research From CDC

Food Safety Five Ep. 11: New Foodborne Illness Data and Research From CDC

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Food Safety Magazine audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Food Safety Magazine or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Deli Salads
    Sponsored byCorbion

    How Food Safety is Becoming the Ultimate Differentiator in Refrigerated and Prepared Foods

Popular Stories

Pitcher of milk ready to be served

FDA Suspends Milk Quality Testing Amid Health and Human Services Cuts

USDA building.jpg

More Than 15,000 USDA Employees Take Trump Administration's Resignation Offer

Image of Tyson Foods logo and the logos of Tyson Foods brands

Tyson Foods is Reformulating Food Products to Eliminate Petroleum-Based Synthetic Dyes

Events

May 12, 2025

The Food Safety Summit

Stay informed on the latest food safety trends, innovations, emerging challenges, and expert analysis. Leave the Summit with actionable insights ready to drive measurable improvements in your organization. Do not miss this opportunity to learn from experts about contamination control, food safety culture, regulations, sanitation, supply chain traceability, and so much more.

May 13, 2025

Traceability Next Steps—Supply Chain Implementation

Live Streaming from the Food Safety Summit: Join us for this engaging and highly practical workshop focused on building and sustaining traceability efforts across the food supply chain. 

May 13, 2025

Effective Sanitation Basics

Live Streaming from the Food Safety Summit: This dynamic workshop will help participants understand the sanitation process, effective monitoring, use of data streams, and root cause analysis basics.

View All

Products

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

Global Food Safety Microbial Interventions and Molecular Advancements

See More Products
Environmental Monitoring Excellence eBook

Related Articles

  • FSS recalls generic image

    Update: FDA investigating multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections likely linked to romaine lettuce grown in California

    See More
  • Food Safety Five Ep. 1: Fatal E. coli Outbreak Linked to Onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders

    Food Safety Five Ep. 1: Fatal E. coli Outbreak Linked to Onions on McDonald’s Quarter Pounders

    See More
  • FS5 E3 article header image.png

    Food Safety Five Ep. 3: E. coli Strikes Again—Fatal Outbreak Linked to Organic Carrots

    See More

Related Directories

  • Log 10 LLC

    Our core science is food microbiology, and our name reflects the way microbe numbers are expressed. Our mission is to provide professional consulting, research, testing, and training support to the food industry relative to the manufacture and delivery of safe, high-quality food products.
×

Never miss the latest news and trends driving the food safety industry

eNewsletter | Website | eMagazine

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

Food Safety
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Food Safety
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • White Papers
  • PRODUCTS
  • TOPICS
    • Contamination Control
    • Food Types
    • Management
    • Process Control
    • Regulatory
    • Sanitation
    • Supply Chain
    • Testing and Analysis
  • PODCAST
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Food Safety Five Newsreel
    • eBooks
    • FSM Distinguished Service Award
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
    • Videos
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MORE
    • ENEWSLETTER >
      • Archive Issues
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Store
    • Sponsor Insights
  • WEBINARS
  • FOOD SAFETY SUMMIT
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!