FDA monitoring imports on Euro vegetables during deadly E. coli outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration said it is increasing its monitors on imported produce from Europe as that continent deals with a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to raw vegetables.

At least 18 people have died in the fatal outbreak of E. coli bacteria. The E. coli strain identified in this outbreak has baffled regulators and it is believed to be an antibiotic-resistant strain of two forms of E. coli bacteria.

In addition to the 18 deaths, the outbreak has been blamed for more than 1,000 illnesses, many of which have required hospitalization for treatment.

In response, the domestic FDA said it will sample and analyze each import of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce, particularly from two European Union countries, but an FDA release fails to identify those two countries.

Previous reports would indicate those countries are Germany, where the outbreak is centered, and Spain, where a majority of those specific crops are grown for European distribution. Few fresh produce items are imported to the U.S. from Europe, particularly during the Spring and summer months in the U.S., the FDA said.

Still, extra inspectors have been deployed to border import areas to monitory any incoming Euro vegetables, including lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes and raw salads.

At least two U.S. tourists visiting Germany in the last two weeks have contracted E. coli poisoning, but no reports of the E. coli O104 strain have been detected in the U.S.