Michigan E. coli - lettuce news

Logging in this morning after being "out of pocket" most of yesterday, the buzz is all about the Michigan E. coli cases and the link to processed lettuce. William Marler, emailing from China, has already sent a "history lesson" on E. coli and leafy greens to several members of the media, including myself. Here are links to Sept. 26 coverage of the issue:

Lettuce a culprit in E. coli case From the Detrot Free Press:

Iceberg lettuce sold wholesale to restaurants and institutions has been identified by state health officials as a source of the E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 26 people in Michigan.

The lettuce came from Aunt Mid's Produce Company of Detroit, said James McCurtis, a Michigan Department of Community Health spokesman. "Restaurants ought to take the initiative to pull it from their menus," McCurtis said.

Other produce distributors are being questioned in the probe, he said, but bagged iceberg lettuce sold at grocery stores is still safe.

Philip Riggio, chief executive officer of Aunt Mid's, said the company's testing has found no evidence of E. coli.

"We're mystified. Effective immediately, we're going to stop selling lettuce until all agencies can come together and find the source," Riggio said.

The outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 started at Michigan State University, with reports of bloody diarrhea, cramps and vomiting.

So far, there have been four reported cases in Macomb County, three in Wayne County and one in Oakland County.

E. coli linked to lettuce From WWJ
Southfield (WWJ) -- A public health alert has been issued as a result of the E. Coli bacteria outbreak that has sickened 26 people.

The Michigan Department of Community Health announced late Friday afternoon the E. coli strain O157:H7 "is thought to be associated with bagged, industrial-sized packages of iceberg lettuce sold through wholesale venues to restaurants and institutions."

A statement from the department said there is no evidence that the bagged lettuce at grocery stores is affected.

Some of the 26 Michigan E.Coli cases consumed shredded or chopped iceberg lettuce in restaurants or institutions purchased from Aunt Mid's Produce Company, a Detroit-based company. Other distributors could be identified later.

Additional test results are still pending.

Dr. Gregory Holzman, chief medical executive for the health department, says Aunt Mid's has been assisting in the investigation.

" We want to ensure that the public's health and well-being is protected. Even though the investigation is ongoing, available evidence is strongly pointing to iceberg lettuce," Holzman said in a statement.

The 26 cases have been located in eight Michigan counties including seven at Michigan State University, five inmates at the Lenawee County Jail, three students at the University of Michigan, four in Macomb County, three in Wayne County, two in Kent County, and one each in St. Clair and Oakland counties.

Ten people, ranging in age from 11-81, have been hospitalized.

The symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 may include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it usually is not very high (less than 101°F/less than 38.5°C). Most people get better within 5-7 days.

More confirmed cases could surface as the investigation continues.


TK: Packer coverage from three years ago indicates Aunt Mid's Produce was processing some produce items (including lettuce) on site at the time, with all the food safety bells and whistles you would expect (and perhaps more). We will need to have more illumination about the source of the lettuce, where it was processed and whether other growers and distributors may be involved.