DeLauro Statement on Multistate E. coli Outbreak

WASHINGTON, DC (January 3, 2018) — Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement regarding the ongoing E. coli outbreak in 13 states—including Connecticut—and Canada. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have not yet determined which food product is contaminated, although the Public Health Agency of Canada has urged consumers in eastern Canada to avoid romaine lettuce. The CDC has stated that the E. coli strain in the United States is genetically similar to the one causing illnesses in Canada.

"News that a strain of E. coli has caused dozens of illnesses and taken two lives in the United States and Canada is heartbreaking and disconcerting. The CDC and the FDA should at least give consumers updated information on the status of their investigation, since the first reported illness connected to the current outbreak occurred nearly two months ago. Yet the Administration has shown a stunning lack of transparency thus far, and that must change immediately."

"I urge the Administration to aggressively and expeditiously investigate what is causing this outbreak to prevent further illnesses and deaths. As E. coli continues to threaten American families, FDA has much more work to do to ensure that our food is properly inspected before it is sold in stores."

A recent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report found that the FDA food-recall process did not consistently ensure the safety of our nation's food supply. DeLauro's response to the report can be found here.

DeLauro chairs the House Food Safety Caucus, is the Ranking Member on the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the CDC, and is a senior member on the Appropriations subcommittee responsible for funding the FDA.