FDA Faces Criticism Over Lack of Reporting on E. coli Outbreak

A deadly E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce silently spread across 15 states last year, killing one person and sickening at least 88 others, and the FDA is now facing criticism for not informing the public about the health crisis or naming those responsible.

Key Takeaways

An E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce affected 15 states in late 2023, causing one death, 36 hospitalizations, and at least 88 illnesses, but was never publicized by the FDA, per a recent report.
The FDA did not identify the companies responsible for the contaminated lettuce, though Taylor Farms was implicated in lawsuits (the company has denied responsibility).
Federal law does not require the FDA to disclose detailed information about all foodborne illness outbreaks, but critics argue greater transparency is needed for public safety.
The outbreak’s full scope was only revealed through public records requests filed by victims’ attorneys.
Food safety advocates warn that failure to name responsible companies undermines public health and reduces incentives for food producers to maintain safety standards.

Silent Deadly Outbreak Goes Unreported

In November 2023, a dangerous strain of E. coli began sickening Americans across multiple states. The outbreak, linked to romaine lettuce, would eventually spread to 15 states, causing one death and hospitalizing 36 people, including a 9-year-old boy who nearly died from kidney failure. However, the FDA reportedly made no public announcement, posted no warnings, and issued no recalls. Most Americans remained unaware of the crisis until it was revealed through public records requests months after the outbreak had ended.

“It is disturbing that FDA hasn’t said anything more public or identified the name of a grower or processor,” said Frank Yiannas, former FDA deputy commissioner for food policy and response, according to NBC News.

The outbreak reportedly began in St. Louis County, Missouri, where local health official Dr. Amanda Brzozowski identified multiple cases of E. coli O157:H7, a particularly dangerous strain known for causing severe illness. “It was really scary,” Brzozowski told NBC News. “This type of situation we’ve never seen before.” As the investigation progressed, officials found the contamination was linked to romaine lettuce, with 95% of those infected reporting they had eaten leafy greens and 88% specifically consuming romaine lettuce.

E. coli outbreak went unpublicized by FDA despite affecting 15 states: report https://t.co/agjzqUTRkp

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 18, 2025

FDA’s Silent Response Under Scrutiny

The FDA’s internal report, which was obtained through a public records request by NBC News, showed that investigators had identified the outbreak source as a single romaine lettuce processor. However, the FDA reportedly redacted the company names in the report and never publicly disclosed this crucial information. By the time the source was identified, the agency claimed no contaminated product remained in the market, making a public announcement unnecessary in their view.

“There were no public communications related to this outbreak,” the FDA stated, according to Fox News. The agency maintains it only names companies when there is enough evidence and actionable advice for consumers to protect themselves. The CDC declared the outbreak over in January 2024, and the FDA closed its investigation in February without issuing any public communications.

Human Toll and Company Denials

The human impact of the outbreak was significant. Seven people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious kidney disorder often caused by E. coli infections. Among the most severely affected was a 9-year-old Indiana boy who faced a life-threatening kidney situation. High school students in Missouri were also among those who became seriously ill from the contaminated lettuce.

Taylor Farms, a major salad producer, was accused in lawsuits filed by victims, though the company has strongly denied any connection to the outbreak. “Taylor Farms product WAS NOT the source of the referenced 2024 E. coli outbreak. We perform extensive raw and finished product testing on all our product and there was no evidence of contamination,” the company stated, according to Fox News.

Criticism of FDA Transparency

Food safety advocates argue that the FDA’s silence undermines public health and limits consumers’ ability to make informed choices. Critics suggest that naming companies linked to outbreaks creates necessary pressure for the industry to improve food safety practices. When companies remain unnamed, there’s less incentive to invest in preventative measures. The outbreak followed another E. coli incident linked to McDonald’s slivered onions, which had resulted in a voluntary recall after infecting over 100 people.

“People have a right to know who’s selling contaminated products,” said Sandra Eskin, former USDA deputy undersecretary for food safety, according to The Independent. As concerns about foodborne illness continue, the debate over how much information the FDA should share with the public during outbreaks remains contentious.