A deadly E.coli outbreak in US killed a teen and left dozens sick. But here's why you never heard of it

A deadly E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce affected 15 states in the United States. This led to one death and several others fell sick. But chances are, you have never heard of it. This is because the Food and Drug Administration never told the public about it.

Here are key points you should know in the story:

-In November, an E. coli outbreak connected to romaine lettuce spread across 15 states, leaving dozens of people sick.

-Among them were a 9-year-old boy from Indiana who nearly died from kidney failure and a 57-year-old woman from Missouri who became ill after eating at a funeral luncheon. The outbreak resulted in one death, reported NBC News.


-NBC News obtained a FDA report which revealed 89 people across 15 states were affected in an E. coli outbreak. But the FDA, chose not to disclose what happened or name the companied that sold the contaminated lettuce, and closed its investigation in February.

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-“There were no public communications related to this outbreak,” the report stated, adding that no companies were identified “because there was no product remaining in commerce.”

-Though federal officials are not required by law to reveal detailed information about all known outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, in recent years, the agency has been transparent, owing to public health concerns.

-The report states that the outbreak resulted in one death and caused illness in at least 88 people, including a 9-year-old boy who nearly died from kidney failure. No information was provided about the individual who died. Among those affected was a 57-year-old Missouri woman who fell ill after attending a funeral.

-The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also declared the outbreak over in mid-January, according to a letter it sent to state health departments, which was reviewed by NBC. The following month, the FDA categorized the investigation as “closed” without providing further information.

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-Though federal officials are not legally obligated to publicize information about all known outbreaks and foodborne illnesses, the FDA has moved toward more transparency in recent years. The agency said its response to the November E. coli outbreak was not a departure from the norm.

-“The FDA names firms when there is enough evidence linking an outbreak to a firm and there is actionable advice for consumers, as long as naming the firm is not legally prohibited,” a spokesperson told NBC. “By the time investigators had confirmed the likely source, the outbreak had already ended and there was no actionable advice for consumers.”

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-Records obtained by the lawyer of the 9-year-old boy who nearly died from the E. coli outbreak showed that California-based Taylor Farms was reportedly behind the salads that sickened dozens. Multiple victims filed nine separate lawsuits arguing that Taylor Farms sold “defective and unreasonably dangerous” products.

-The company denied that it was responsible for 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.” Asked by NBC whether Taylor Farms was indeed the culprit, the FDA said it was restricted by law from “disclosing “confidential commercial information.”