Food safety is a top priority for all food producers, including members of the Organic Trade Association. Most importantly, we would like to express our sympathy to those victims and their families that are suffering as a result of this tragic outbreak of E. coli O157:H7. Keeping our food supply safe is our number one priority.
E. coli O157:H7 illness in general has been linked to fecal matter from cattle. However, the source of the contamination in this current outbreak has not yet been identified. Members of OTA, like so many others in the produce business, have been cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration’s ongoing investigation.
The organic industry has grown to a $15 billion business because consumers know organic production is safe and better for the environment, and that the integrity of organic products depends on truthfulness with customers. In this instance, where there are no concrete answers and the federal investigation is ongoing, it is critical that no one jump to any conclusions.
Until more is known about the source of the contamination, there is no other information about the event that we can provide. Organic Trade Association recommends that all producers, retailers and consumers follow FDA guidelines in this matter.
Updated September 22, 2006
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