Last week, an outbreak of E. coli O157 in Michigan was linked to bagged, industrial-sized packages of iceberg lettuce distributed to institutions and restaurants throughout the state, according to Michigan’s Department of Community Health (MDCH). 34 illnesses in Michigan have been linked to this outbreak, as well as illnesses in IL, OH, NY and OR. MDCH suggests that the outbreak is associated with eating lettuce at a facilities supplied by Aunt Mid’s Produce Company, a Detroit-based wholesale distributor.
In a press release yesterday, Aunt Mid’s Produce Company reported that they hired an outside laboratory to test products and samples from their facility, and that the results from the tests "prove there is NO CONTAMINATION in Aunt Mid’s products."
Strong words, especially since the outbreak has been linked to products that were consumed between September 8 and 19.
This outbreak is the focus of the newest Food Safety Infosheet, and can be found here.