FDA Close to Identifying Cause of Taco John E. coli Outbreak

FDA is narrowing its focus on the 2006 Taco John’s E. coli outbreak to the Central Valley of California.

Shredded iceberg lettuce was the likely transmission vehicle for the E. coli, according to FDA, and tests from the lettuce-growing region of California support the theory. Investigators have matched the E. coli 0157:H7 strain from the outbreak to dairy farms near where the lettuce was grown.

The investigation has not determined how the lettuce was contaminated, but the traceback is still being conducted. FDA narrowed the search to the Central Valley based on traceback records from the lettuce processor.

The outbreak sickened 81 people in November and December. Restaurants in Iowa and Minnesota served the contaminated product.