Outbreak of E. Coli Related to Arizona Lettuce Farm Spreads to Tennessee

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now confirms that there are 23 cases of E. coli food poisoning that are confirmed, and 7 cases that are likely connected to the tainted romaine lettuce grown on an Arizona farm.  Previously, there were four cases confirmed in New York, ten in Michigan, and eight in Ohio, most of these students in middle schools, high school and college who ate in school cafeterias.

Officials have sates that the strain of E. coli involved is particularly rare and hard to diagnose, so there may be additional cases that are unreported.  Recently, Freshway Foods announced a recall in 23 states of the romaine lettuce, and now Vaughn Foods has launched a recall.  The company is based in Moore, OK.  Vaughn Foods bought the lettuce from Andrew Smith Co., which is a supply company in California.  Andrew Smith Co. shipped the lettuce after buying it from the Arizona farm.

The FDA is still investigating this recent outbreak, and has so far not revealed the name of the Arizona farm.  As of yet, they have not been able to determine the point in the supply chain where the lettuce became tainted, since it went through numerous facilities before being eaten.  Andrew Smith Co. declined to reveal if they supplied Freshway Foods with romaine lettuce, and spokeswoman Amy Philpott said the company sold romaine lettuce to a distributor in Massachusetts, but declined to identify that distributor due to the fact that the lettuce has passed the expiration date.

The source of the E. coli food poisoning contamination is still being investigated by the FDA.  Andrew Smith Co. purchases romaine lettuce in bulk from farms, then sells to distributors such as Vaughn and Freshway Foods, who then sell the lettuce to retail customers and food service outlets.

In New York, a 15 year old and 17 year old developed HUS, which can cause bleeding in the brain and severe kidney damage.  Local health authorities expect the students to make a complete recovery.

This recall of romaine lettuce does not apply to bagged lettuce sold in grocery stores.  It is urged that anyone experiencing symptoms of E. coli seek medical attention at once.  Symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea and occasional fever.  Some individuals may be at risk of developing serious complications such as HUS.