E. coli Again…

BY ISHAN VAISH – On November 22nd, the CDC reported an outbreak of E. Coli in romaine lettuce coming from Salinas, California. With over forty people already infected, the outbreak is considered to be especially lethal, and the CDC has advised consumers to avoid buying lettuce altogether. While it might seem a little surprising that lettuce is the source of an E. Coli outbreak, this is the fourth time in the past two years that an E. Coli outbreak has been linked back to the vegetable. 

E. Coli is a bacteria naturally found in the intestines of cattle, poultry, and other animals. The bacteria typically spreads to fruits and vegetables through contact with infected feces. Since lettuce is often grown in cow manure or in close proximity to cattle herds, it is highly susceptible to contamination. Moreover, contamination can also occur at other stages of the harvesting process. Improper transportation practices and unhygienic storage conditions are known causes of E. Coli and lettuce cross-contamination. Exposure to E. Coli can even happen in the grocery store. When customers or workers come into contact with raw poultry or beef and then touch the lettuce, this may transmit E. Coli onto the lettuce . 

Given what we know about how easily lettuce can become infected with E. Coli, it makes sense that these outbreaks happen so frequently in the United States.  These outbreaks however, have not always been so common. Only a few years ago, such outbreaks were obsolete, which is counterintuitive and raises questions about recent changes in agricultural practices. Scientists have attributed this recent spike in cases to a change in irrigation policy. Irrigation water can quickly become contaminated if there are cows near the vicinity of the water source. Consequently, under the Obama administration, Congress passed the Food Safety Modernization Act, which forced farms to check irrigation water for E. Coli pathogens. Enforcement measures were even scheduled to further increase in 2018, but President Trump’s first FDA administrator Scott Gottlieb pushed back the implementation of these policies until 2022. Citing that they were too intricate and unnecessary, Gottlieb was hoping that fewer regulations on the agricultural industry would increase overall revenue for farmers. However, with current CDC warnings that consumers should avoid purchasing lettuce entirely, it seems unlikely that Gottlieb’s goal will be achieved. 

Though many public health officials are lobbying for changes in policy, it is unknown how long it will take before appropriate actions are taken to increase the regulation of irrigation water. In the meantime, health officials are advising people to be on the lookout for symptoms of severe food poisoning. Anyone showing signs of vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, cramping, and fever needs to immediately be taken to a hospital and treated. 

Editor: Sania Qazi

Photography Source: https://www.wymt.com/content/news/FDA-Romaine-lettuce-E-coli-outbreak-tied-to-nine-more-illnesses-502234772.html