--- title: 2020 Romaine Lettuce E. coli Cluster Outbreak date: 2021-08-03T08:52:00-07:00 author: Bill Marler canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/news_events/multistate-romaine-lettuce-cluster-outbreak" section: News --- [All News](/news_events) / [Outbreaks](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/outbreaks) / # 2020 Romaine Lettuce E. coli Cluster Outbreak Marler Clark investigated a multistate cluster of *E. coli* illnesses linked to romaine lettuce in Autumn 2020. As of November 9, 2020, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) advised consumers to not consume Tanimura & Antle brand romaine lettuce. When this lettuce was randomly tested from a Walmart in Comstock Park, MI, the sample showed that it had been contaminated with *E. coli* O157:H7. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services laboratory continued to test this product and confirmed that it was positive for a strain of *E. coli* genetically similar to *E. coli* causing two recent illnesses in Michigan. In total, 18 people were infected with the outbreak strain of *E.coli* O157:H7, in 9 states. The illness began on September 2, 2020 and continued until November 6, 2020. Six people were hospitalized, no deaths were reported. Of the 13 people interviewed, all reported eating various leafy greens, including romaine lettuce (9), spinach (9), and iceberg lettuce (7). Laboratory testing identified the outbreak strain in a sample of Tanimura & Antle romaine lettuce in a single-head package; it was recalled on November 6, 2020. None of those interviewed reported eating Tanimura & Antle romaine lettuce, and some became ill prior to the "packed on" dates for the recalled products. The FDA conducted traceback investigations and worked with state officials to inspect several farms. However, none of their findings determined with certainty a common source of the tainted product. There was inadequate information for investigators to identify the likely source in the distribution chain or link the farms to the outbreak. As of December 18, 2020 this outbreak is over. **Two additional investigations into E.coli tainted lettuce.** As of October 28, 2020, the FDA, CDC and local and state health officials were investigating two different *E. coli* O157:H7 outbreaks that are recurring, emerging, or persistent strains of this pathogen in order to rule out foods that may be contaminated. The epidemiological and traceback investigation was a coordinated effort between different agencies, with on-site inspections and sampling being conducted to help determine more specific conclusions. In the first outbreak, a total of 32 people were infected with *E. coli* O157:H7 which was reported in twelve states. Illnesses began on June 6, 2020, to October 25, 2020. Ill people ranged in age from 2 to 75 years, with a median age of 27 years, with 72% percent of those ill being female. Of 16 ill people with information available, 15 hospitalizations have been reported, including 1 person who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. One death has been reported from Michigan. **People infected with the outbreak strain of *E. coli* O157:H7, by state of residence, as of December 16, 2020 (n=32)** ![Map of United States - People infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli, by state of residence, as of December 16, 2020](https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2020/o157h7-10-20a/images/map-12-16-20.jpg)When those who became ill were interviewed, they reported eating at the same restaurant and had eaten multiple common foods. However, after the CDC analyzed the interview data, they were unable to identify a specific food item that could have been the cause of the outbreak. In addition, the FDA did traceback investigations for several of the food items served at the restaurant and were also unable to positively identify a common source in the distribution chain. This investigation is complete as there was not enough information to determine a likely source. In the second outbreak, a total of 40 people were sickened with *E.coli* O157:H7 in 19 states. Illnesses started on August 10, 2020, and continued until October 31, 2020. Of those ill, 60% percent were female, with ages ranging from 1 to 85 years. Twenty people were hospitalized, with 4 developing hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a failure of the kidneys. No deaths were reported. **People infected with the outbreak strain of *E. coli* O157:H7, by state of residence, as of December 18, 2020 (n=40)** ![Map of United States - People infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli, by state of residence, as of December 21, 2020](https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2020/o157h7-10-20b/images/map-12-22-20.jpg) Of the 23 ill people interviewed in this outbreak, 22 reported eating a variety of leafy greens including spinach (16) and romaine lettuce (15). Traceback investigations conducted by the FDA and public health officials led to several leafy green farms. They collected environmental samples and conducted inspections of the farms. However, no single farm was identified as the common source of the leafy greens. As of Autumn 2020, the FDA was analyzing the samples and continuing their investigations to identify the source of this *E.coli* outbreak. ### Other E. coli Lawsuits [Raw Farms linked to another Raw Milk Cheese E.coli Outbreak - 9 People sickened - Company refuses to recall product](https://marlerclark.com/raw-farms-linked-to-another-raw-milk-cheese-e-coli-outbreak-7-people-sickened) [10 with E. coli linked to Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/3-with-e-coli-linked-to-cheese) [Sycamore Pool in Chico California Contaminated with E.coli - Two teens in ICU](https://marlerclark.com/sycamore-pool-in-chico-california-contaminated-with-e-coli-two-teens-in-icu) [Deadly Nationwide E.coli Outbreak Linked to Grimmway Farms Organic Baby and Whole Carrots sickens 48](https://marlerclark.com/nationwide-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-grimmway-farms-organic-baby-and-whole-carrots) [E. coli Outbreak tied to Red Cow and Hen House Restaurants](https://marlerclark.com/e-coli-outbreak-tied-to-red-cow-and-hen-house-restaurants) [Rockwood Summit High School E. coli Outbreak](https://marlerclark.com/rockwood-summit-high-school-e-coli-outbreak) [McDonalds linked to 104 E. coli cases and 1 Death](https://marlerclark.com/mcdonalds-linked-to-nearly-50-e-coli-cases-and-1-death) [2 dead with 22 injured in E. coli Hamburger Outbreak in Montana](https://marlerclark.com/1-dead-with-13-injured-in-e-coli-hamburger-outbreak-in-montana) [E. coli Outbreak in Washington and California linked to Walnuts](https://marlerclark.com/e-coli-outbreak-in-washington-and-california-linked-to-walnuts) [Seattle PCC Market E. coli outbreak linked to Guacamole](https://marlerclark.com/seattle-ppc-market-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-guacamole) [11 with E. coli linked to Raw Milk LLC Cheese](https://marlerclark.com/10-with-e-coli-linked-to-raw-milk-llc-cheese) [Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli Outbreak sickens 35](https://marlerclark.com/miguels-cocina-4s-ranch-e-coli-outbreak) ### Lawsuit updates about foodborne illnesses [Reactive Arthritis Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=reactive-arthritis&year=all) [E. coli Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=e-coli&year=all) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=guillain-barre-syndrome&year=all) [Salmonella Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=salmonella&year=all) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=hemolytic-uremic-syndrome&year=all) [Listeria Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=listeria&year=all) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=irritable-bowel-syndrome&year=all) [Hepatitis A Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=hepatitis-a&year=all) [Norovirus Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=norovirus&year=all) [Botulism Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=botulism&year=all) [Campylobacter Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=campylobacter&year=all) [Shigella Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=shigella&year=all) [Cyclospora Lawsuit Updates](/news_events/case-news?illness=cyclospora&year=all) ### Lawsuits updates by year [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 1998](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=1998) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 1999](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=1999) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2000](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2000) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2001](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2001) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2002](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2002) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2003](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2003) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2004](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2004) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2005](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2005) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2006](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2006) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2007](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2007) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2008](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2008) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2009](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2009) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2010](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2010) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2011](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2011) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2012](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2012) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2013](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2013) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2014](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2014) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2015](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2015) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2016](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2016) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2017](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2017) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2018](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2018) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2019](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2019) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2020](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2020) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2021](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2021) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2022](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2022) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2023](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2023) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2024](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2024) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2025](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2025) [Foodborne Illness Lawsuits in 2026](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/case-news?illness=all&year=2026) ##### Get Help #### Affected by an outbreak or recall? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ Get a free consultation ](https://marlerclark.com/contact) ##### Related Resources ###### [E. coli Food Poisoning](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-food-poisoning) What is E. coli and how does it cause food poisoning? Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a highly studied, common species of bacteria that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, so... ###### [E. coli O157:H7](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/e-coli-o157h7) E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly identified and the most notorious Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serotype in... ###### [Non-O157 STEC](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/non-o157-stec) Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli can also cause food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 may be the most notorious serotype of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), but there are at least... ###### [Sources of E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/sources-of-e-coli) Where do E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) come from? The primary reservoirs, or ultimate sources, of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC in nature are... ###### [Transmission of and Infection with E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli/transmission-of-and-infection-with-e-coli) While many dairy cattle-associated foodborne disease outbreaks are linked to raw milk and other raw dairy products (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream), dairy cattle still represent a source of contamination... ##### Outbreak Database #### Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks? The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more. [ View Outbreak Database ](https://outbreakdatabase.com)