A deadly E. coli outbreak hit 15 US states at the end of last year, leading to one death and over 80 falling sick. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) kept it a secret and did not disclose it to the public, NBC News reported.
In November last year, the outbreak spread across the states, leaving dozens of people sick. It further led to the death of a nine-year-old boy who died of kidney failure.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/health-crisis-in-uk-over-100-ill-following-e-coli-outbreak-says-ukhsa-729470">Health crisis in UK: Over 100 ill following E coli outbreak, says UKHSA</a>
<h2>What caused the outbreak?</h2>
The deadly E. coli outbreak was linked to romaine lettuce. Also, a 57-year-old woman in Missouri became seriously ill after eating lettuce at a funeral lunch.&nbsp;
According to NBC, the agency did not name the produce company involved in the outbreak and kept it secret, hiding the information from the public.&nbsp;
The investigation was then quietly closed in February 2025, according to an internal report.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-more-food-safety-inspections-in-us-fdas-new-plan-unveiled-amid-massive-staff-cuts-8976954">No more food safety inspections in US? FDA's new plan unveiled amid massive staff cuts</a>
However, while defending itself, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fda-scientists-told-not-to-use-words-women-disabled-elderly-white-house-calls-it-an-error-8740866">FDA </a>said that it did not release information about the outbreak because by the time it determined the likely source, the contaminated lettuce was no longer available in stores.
"There were no public communications related to this outbreak," the FDA stated in the internal report.
A spokesperson said that the agency only names firms when there is clear evidence and a public health action can be taken.&nbsp;
<h2>People call it 'disturbing'&nbsp;</h2>
After the information went public, some experts reacted to FDA's hidden secret, disagreeing with their decision not to inform the public about the outbreak.&nbsp;
Frank Yiannas, who served as deputy commissioner of food policy at the FDA from 2018 to 2023, called the lack of transparency "disturbing."
"It is disturbing that the FDA hasn't said anything more public or identified the name of a grower or processor," said Yiannas.
"People have a right to know who's selling contaminated products," Sandra Eskin, a former Department of Agriculture official said.&nbsp;
WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-fda-approves-first-new-uti-drug-in-decades-8898199">US FDA approves first new UTI drug in decades</a>

The deadly E. coli outbreak was linked to romaine lettuce. Also, a 57-year-old woman in Missouri became seriously ill after eating lettuce at a funeral lunch. WORLD

A deadly E. coli outbreak hit 15 US states at the end of last year, leading to one death and over 80 falling sick. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) kept it a secret and did not disclose it to the public, NBC News reported. In November last year, the outbreak spread across the states, leaving dozens of people sick. It further led to the death of a nine-year-old boy who died of kidney failure. Also read: Health crisis in UK: Over 100 ill following E coli outbreak, says UKHSA What caused the outbreak? The deadly E. coli outbreak was linked to romaine lettuce. Also, a 57-year-old woman in Missouri became seriously ill after eating lettuce at a funeral lunch. According to NBC, the agency did not name the produce company involved in the outbreak and kept it secret, hiding the information from the public. The investigation was then quietly closed in February 2025, according to an internal report. Also read: No more food safety inspections in US? FDA's new plan unveiled amid massive staff cuts However, while defending itself, the FDA said that it did not release information about the outbreak because by the time it determined the likely source, the contaminated lettuce was no longer available in stores. "There were no public communications related to this outbreak," the FDA stated in the internal report. A spokesperson said that the agency only names firms when there is clear evidence and a public health action can be taken. People call it 'disturbing' After the information went public, some experts reacted to FDA's hidden secret, disagreeing with their decision not to inform the public about the outbreak. Frank Yiannas, who served as deputy commissioner of food policy at the FDA from 2018 to 2023, called the lack of transparency "disturbing." "It is disturbing that the FDA hasn't said anything more public or identified the name of a grower or processor," said Yiannas. "People have a right to know who's selling contaminated products," Sandra Eskin, a former Department of Agriculture official said. WATCH | US FDA approves first new UTI drug in decades

US government's BIG secret out: FDA kept deadly E. coli outbreak in 15 states hidden. Here's what caused it

Fast-food giant KFC is forced to swap lettuce for cabbage in its products in Australia. The popular restaurant chain said on Tuesday (June 7) that high lettuce prices in the country led the company to switch to a cabbage mix in burgers and other items. However, the customers are not liking it. The switch has prompted customers to complain as the result is less than "finger lickin' good".&nbsp;

The famous Colonel's recipe has been tweaked in some stories after the local price of the verdant leaf soared by as much as 300 per cent in recent months.&nbsp;

The company said that the reason behind such recipe change is the widespread flooding in the country's east.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
KFC Australia on its website said: "Due to the recent floods in NSW [New South Wales] and QLD [Queensland] we're currently experiencing a lettuce shortage."&nbsp;

"So, we're using a lettuce and cabbage blend on all products containing lettuce until further notice," it read.&nbsp;

It added: "If that's not your bag, simply click 'Customise' on your chosen product and remove Lettuce from the Recipe."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, supply chain expert Flavio Macau of Edith Cowan University said as quoted by the news agency AFP stated that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was also a vital factor. The ongoing war pushed up diesel and fertiliser prices globally.&nbsp;

Notably, a single head of iceberg lettuce in Sydney or Melbourne that once sold for about $2 now goes for close to $8.

However, the customers are not liking it. One of the users on Twitter wrote: "The fact that you are replacing lettuce with cabbage makes me rethink my whole meal at KFC. There's 4 or 5 other things I would eat before cabbage Its such a weird choice."&nbsp;

Another wrote, "Feels like a sign of the apocalypse."&nbsp;

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Fast-food giant KFC is forced to swap lettuce for cabbage in its products in Australia. The popular restaurant chain said on Tuesday (June 7) that high lettuce prices in the country led the company to switch to a cabbage mix in burgers and other items.

Fast-food giant KFC is forced to swap lettuce for cabbage in its products in Australia. The popular restaurant chain said on Tuesday (June 7) that high lettuce prices in the country led the company to switch to a cabbage mix in burgers and other items. However, the customers are not liking it. The switch has prompted customers to complain as the result is less than "finger lickin' good". The famous Colonel's recipe has been tweaked in some stories after the local price of the verdant leaf soared by as much as 300 per cent in recent months. The company said that the reason behind such recipe change is the widespread flooding in the country's east. KFC Australia on its website said: "Due to the recent floods in NSW [New South Wales] and QLD [Queensland] we're currently experiencing a lettuce shortage." "So, we're using a lettuce and cabbage blend on all products containing lettuce until further notice," it read. It added: "If that's not your bag, simply click 'Customise' on your chosen product and remove Lettuce from the Recipe." Meanwhile, supply chain expert Flavio Macau of Edith Cowan University said as quoted by the news agency AFP stated that Russia's invasion of Ukraine was also a vital factor. The ongoing war pushed up diesel and fertiliser prices globally. Notably, a single head of iceberg lettuce in Sydney or Melbourne that once sold for about $2 now goes for close to $8. However, the customers are not liking it. One of the users on Twitter wrote: "The fact that you are replacing lettuce with cabbage makes me rethink my whole meal at KFC. There's 4 or 5 other things I would eat before cabbage Its such a weird choice." Another wrote, "Feels like a sign of the apocalypse." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Not so finger-lickin' good: Australian KFC swaps lettuce for cabbage

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