FDA results from microbiological surveillance and analysis of romaine lettuce from Yuma county, AZ

The FDA conducted an assignment in 2021 to collect romaine lettuce samples from commercial coolers in Yuma County, Arizona, to test for STEC, specifically enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and Salmonella spp. Since 2009, the FDA and the CDC identified 40 foodborne outbreaks of STEC infections in the U.S. with a confirmed or suspected link to leafy greens. Most recently, in 2018 and 2020, multistate outbreak investigations of E. coli O157:H7 infections were associated with consuming romaine lettuce from the Yuma agricultural region. Contamination of romaine with Salmonella is also of concern as the U.S. experienced a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections linked to romaine lettuce consumption in 2013. All 504 samples collected and tested in this assignment were negative for Salmonella spp. The FDA detected one STEC, an E. coli O130:H11. The findings of this assignment may suggest that STEC and Salmonella spp. were not widespread in romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma. @ https://www.fda.gov/food/sampling-protect-food-supply/microbiological-surveillance-sampling-fy21-sample-collection-and-analysis-romaine-lettuce-obtained