E. coli Cases on the Rise

April 2007

Lately, it appears that trying to eat healthy can backfire, as many fruits and vegetables are causing food poisoning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a report that shows a sharp rise in E. coli infection. The Morbidity and Mortality Report saw cases of E. coli O157:H7 increase from 0.9 out of 100,000 people in 2004 to 1.31 in 2006.

Three major national outbreaks of the deadly O157:H7 strain in spinach and lettuce last year marked an unusual shift to vegetables for the bacteria, which had been more commonly found in ground beef and other animal products. But recent reform in the meat industry has seen a decrease in reported cases of the strain.

Other types of food poisoning held steadier in comparison, with Salmonella only seeing a 14.55 to 14.81 rise of occurrence. The report was released the day after Fresh Express, the nation’s largest producer of ready-to-eat greens, announced that it will donate $2 million in research grants to study E. coli O157:H7 in lettuce and other leafy greens.