STEC O157:H7 — romaine lettuce (14 cases, 2026)
First reported: 2026-07-09 · Data as of: 2026-09-11
Latest official update · 2026-09-11
FDA closes investigation; romaine lettuce named as cause
- CDC declared the outbreak over as of July 29, 2026.
- FDA closed the investigation naming romaine lettuce as the cause; total cases are 14.
- Traceback and on-site inspection were initiated.
- Neither FDA nor CDC reported the name of the grower of the implicated romaine.
- No growing region was publicly confirmed.
- Hospitalization, HUS, and death counts were not published, and no state list was published.
Buyer guidance for romaine lettuce from [not publicly confirmed]
What to do
- This outbreak is over. No product action is needed.
- Follow standard food-safety practices with fresh produce, including refrigeration and preventing cross-contamination.
What we don't know yet: The name of the grower of the implicated romaine was not reported.; The growing region was not publicly confirmed.; Hospitalization, HUS, and death counts were not published.; No state list was published.; Specific processors, distributors, and retailers were not published.
Summary
FDA closed this investigation, naming romaine lettuce as the cause. Total cases are 14. CDC declared the outbreak over as of July 29, 2026. Neither FDA nor CDC reported the name of the grower of the implicated romaine, and the growing region was not publicly confirmed. Hospitalization, HUS, and death counts were not published, and no state list was published.
Traceback chain
FDA traceback investigation. Honest gap nodes indicate steps where the public investigation has not yet disclosed operator names.
Known gaps: hospitalization, HUS, and death counts were not published; no state list was published; neither FDA nor CDC reported the name of the grower of the implicated romaine; growing region was not publicly confirmed; specific processors, distributors, and retailers were not published