Previous postings on EGG-NEWS described an outbreak of E. coli O157 in St. Louis County involving 115 cases with 13 hospitalizations. Patients attended events catered by a specific company including two high school band events, two funerals and a veterans’ dinner over the period November 6th through 9th, 2024. To date 25 cases have been linked to the caterer by whole genome sequencing.
Leafy greens are suspected as the vehicle of infection. Cases with matching genomes have been reported in Kansas, Illinois, the Dakotas, Ohio and Indiana with leafy greens, a consistent epidemiologic factor in outbreaks.
Despite FDA cooperation with associations representing producers of leafy greens in Arizona and California, it is evident that measures taken by producers with respect to decontamination of irrigation water and offsets from concentrated animal feeding operations have not reduced risk.
As previously stated, attempting to decontaminate vast quantities of irrigation water from pathogens in animal feces appears quixotic. A positive kill step is required during processing, and prior to packaging. Potential interventions include cold plasma or electron beam treatment or an effective bactericide without a toxic residue. Pussyfooting around to develop corrective modalities that are “convenient” to producers will only perpetuate the problem of foodborne infection and will result in an ongoing incidence rate among consumers of both home-cooked, institutional and restaurant-prepared meals. Limiting losses experienced by processors, the restaurant industry and HMOs requires a scientific and logical approach to resolution. The problem of contaminated leafy greens and other vegetables appears to be intensifying in both clinical and financial importance.