PMA, FDA issue joint statement about E. coli O157:H7 outbreak

The Produce Marketing Association and U.S. Food and Drug Administration have issued a statement on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. According to the statement, the FDA has identified one farm as a source of the outbreak, but has not determined where the contamination occurred in the supply chain. 

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has identified one farm as a source of the whole-head romaine lettuce that sickened several people at a correctional facility in Alaska as part of a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7," the statement reads. "However, the agency has not determined where in the supply chain the contamination occurred. Since learning of this outbreak, we have been working with the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to understand everything we can about this outbreak and we will continue to do so. FDA continues to look for other sources of romaine that may be involved in this outbreak."

"With this new information identifying a farm, the produce industry can begin to focus our attention on learning how romaine from the Yuma, Arizona region became a vehicle in this outbreak. Our members who grow leafy greens are committed to doing everything possible to prevent foodborne illness outbreaks. Food safety is our top priority and the produce industry has existing systems in place that will allow us to examine this issue comprehensively so that necessary changes can be incorporated into food safety programs utilized throughout the leafy greens industry." 

PMA says it will update the situation as more information becomes available.