Lettuce E. coli and outbreaks with leafy greens targeted in proposed USDA program with industry
The 2006 spinach E. coli outbreak sickened more than 200 Americans and caused 31 cases of life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Tragically, three HUS deaths resulted from the outbreak, which was caused by E. coli O157:H7.
There have been other U.S. E. coli outbreaks linked to leafy greens, along with outbreaks in the industry that have been tied to other pathogens. Now the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is requesting comment on the creation of a voluntary National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement (NLGMA). A USDA press release said the agreement would assist all types of farmers and handlers to more effectively comply with quality and food safety requirements.
The agency is proposing there be eight regional zones (reflecting different climates) and a board with 26 representatives appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to manage the agreement.
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said the government wants the agreement to be practical and filled with safe agricultural and food handling practices that everyone can follow. The Ag Secretary also would appoint a Technical Review Committee. The agreement is a proposal open to comments for the next 90 days. Officials will analyze the comments and decide how or whether to proceed with an agreement. The idea dates back to June 2009 when it was brought to USDA by 14 different organizations representing a cross-section of producer and handler representatives from the fresh produce industry.
The initiative fits into the Obama Administration’s attempts to take preventative steps against foodborne illness. E. coli HUS is especially dangerous because it almost always starts with kidney failure and can progress from there to cause other organ damage inside a victim’s body. Children under age 5 are most susceptible to developing HUS and HUS remains the leading cause of E. coli death.
If you or a family member has been sickened in a lettuce E. coli outbreak or any other outbreak linked to leafy greens, contact a food safety attorney at nationally recognized Pritzker Olsen attorneys, 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or contact us online. Our firm is one of the very few in the country practicing extensively in the area of foodborne illness and we have collected tens of millions of dollars for victims of food poisoning.
Tags: E coli Lettuce, E. coli Lawyer
