Now, according to Columbus Dispatch reporter Misti Crane, the CDC has identified E. coli O143:H34 in bag lettuce. This unusual strain was found in a bag of the lettuce sold in Ohio; a bag of Freshway lettuce from New York also tested positive for the original E. coli O145 bacteria.
The most common E. coli strain is the O157:H7 variety, which is the one that many foods are tested for. Now, two different (and rarely tested for) strains of E. coli food poisoning (http://www.ecolifoodpoisoning.net/
While the CDC still confirms only 30 victims in this recent contamination of lettuce, in reality there were probably hundreds more that went unreported. The USDA as been under fire for years to declare other strains of shiga-toxin producing E. coli other than the usual O157:H7 variety as adulterants in the meat supply. The FDA regulates products of the non-meat/poultry variety including lettuce and other fresh produce. It looks as though this latest incident involving two unusual strains of E. coli in Freshway lettuce would make a perfect Exhibit A in the case for the FDA to take steps to test for other strains, before widespread outbreaks become a concern, and people are sickened (or worse) unnecessarily.
While E. coli usually causes only mild symptoms in healthy individuals, it can cause serious or even fatal complications in certain groups of individuals. The very young, the elderly and those with a weakened immune system are particularly susceptible to risky complications.
If you develop symptoms of E. coli (stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting) after eating foods you suspect are contaminated, seek medical attention at once. Contact a reputable New York food poisoning attorney (http://www.brownchiari.com/
Brown Chiari is a team of experienced personal injury attorneys based in Lancaster NY (http://www.brownchiari.com)
