On January 27th the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a report on an investigation into an extensive outbreak of E.coli infection that resulted in 40 diagnosed cases.  Investigators determined commonality of the serotype affecting patients and in cattle feces adjacent to the field from which implicated leafy greens were harvested.  Investigators were unable to confirm the presence of the specific STEC on green produce. There is a presumption that an epidemiologic linkage existed between cattle grazing upland from fields where green produce was cultivated and infection among consumers.

Frank Yiannas, deputy Commissioner of the FDA indicated that the final report on the outbreak would include specific recommendations, presumably supplementing the Leafy Greens Action Plan.