Romaine lettuce contaminated with E. coli killed one person and sickened dozens, including children, in a multistate outbreak that started late last year.
But the Food and Drug Administration never informed the general public about the contaminated lettuce or identified the companies involved, during or after an investigation that closed in February, according to an April 17 news report from NBC.
Northeastern University food policy safety expert Darin Detwiler is one of many public health and other experts criticizing the FDA’s handling of the case.
He told Northeastern Global News in an email interview that the lack of transparency can undermine public trust and can impact consumers, especially those not in a position to seek out safer food options.
Is it unusual that the FDA did not notify the general public about the romaine lettuce investigation? The outbreak started in early November 2024 and the investigation concluded in February.
Yes, it is unusual. While not unprecedented, withholding information about a multistate outbreak linked to a widely consumed product like romaine lettuce — especially when it results in hospitalization and death — deviates from standard public health practice.
Typically, agencies like the FDA or (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) issue alerts even when investigations are ongoing, to warn consumers and promote industry accountability.
How unusual is it for the FDA not to identify the company responsible?
It is relatively rare for the FDA to conclude an investigation without naming the implicated supplier, grower or brand, particularly in high-profile outbreaks.
Identifying the source of contamination helps inform consumers and the industry, supports transparency and can lead to improvements in safety practices.
While there are exceptions, such as when the product is no longer on the market, complete nondisclosure raises concerns about regulatory discretion and industry influence.
Does the FDA usually allow companies to announce their own recalls?
Yes, under current policy, food recalls are typically initiated voluntarily by the company responsible. The FDA monitors and can request a recall but generally does not mandate one unless the company refuses to act.
This system relies heavily on corporate responsibility and public pressure. When companies fail to disclose, and the FDA chooses not to, consumers are left uninformed and unprotected.
What do you think of an FDA spokesperson claiming there was no need to name the firm because the outbreak was over and there were no “actionable steps” for consumers to take? The CDC said in January the outbreak was over.
I hold that the reasoning is inadequate from a public health and consumer protection standpoint.
Even if the contaminated product is no longer available, identifying the responsible party is actionable in terms of legal accountability, consumer awareness and preventing future outbreaks.
The fact the families have filed a lawsuit clearly demonstrates that action is being taken … and that such information is not just relevant but necessary for justice and systemic change.
Does the timeline of the investigation, spanning two administrations, affect how it was handled?
Transitions between administrations can contribute to delays or changes in policy enforcement, but they should not compromise public health priorities.
Regardless of timing, the responsibility to inform and protect the public should remain consistent and above political considerations.
Legally and politically, the FDA’s decision not to disclose suggests a prioritization of regulatory discretion over public transparency, potentially influenced by administrative shifts or industry lobbying.
Socially, this choice undermines public trust and disproportionately impacts consumers without the resources or knowledge to seek out alternative sources of information or safer food options, exacerbating existing inequities in health and access.
Why is romaine lettuce so often linked to E. coli outbreaks?
Romaine lettuce has become a recurrent source of E. coli outbreaks due to several factors.
It is often consumed raw, so there is no kill step like cooking. Its open-leaf structure and field-growing methods make it susceptible to contamination from water, soil, animals or farm equipment.
Additionally, large-scale distribution makes traceability complex and allows contaminated products to spread widely before detection.