In collaboration with our association colleagues we’d like to share the following update to last week’s communications regarding the E. coli O157:H7 foodborne illness outbreak that has impacted many members. Our associations have prepared the statement below for media, and advise that you may want to use these talking points in your own business.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has issued an updated public health notice stating that the E. coliO157:H7 foodborne illness outbreak in Canada, which that agency has associated with Romaine lettuce consumption, appears to be over. PHAC is also advising Canadian consumers that they no longer need to consider not consuming romaine lettuce. To read the full statement please visit:https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2017/public-health-notice-outbreak-e-coli-infections-linked-romaine-lettuce.html
Officials with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have posted updates as well, noting the likely source appears to be leafy greens. Read CDC’s statement at: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2018/s0110-update-ecoli.html; read FDA’s statement at https://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/SafetyAlertsAdvisories/ucm591989.htm.
In response to this afternoon’s statements made by public health agencies in both the United States and Canada, the undersigned organizations call your attention to the following details:
- Public health agencies in both the United States and Canada are informing consumers that there are no concerns about consuming any particular food, while they continue their investigations into what caused this E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that began in November.
- Based on these statements, both governments have concluded that the food responsible for this foodborne illness outbreak is no longer in the market.
- The industry associations are committed to working with government agencies in both the United States and Canada to assist with the ongoing investigations.
Message distributed from:
United Fresh Produce Association
Arizona and California LGMAs
Canadian Produce Marketing Association
Produce Marketing Association
Western Growers
