Henny Penny
- Details
- Category: April 2018
- Published: 20 April 2018
- Hits: 3882

Its easy to ignore “The sky is falling” warnings when they are inconclusive. The classic folk tale of Henny Penny (Chicken Little) bares recollection when food safety is at stake.
The most recent industry messages regarding romaine lettuce alerts have been frustrating for everyone in the supply chain.
In defense of all stakeholders, no one wants to err on the side of personal illness or worse case scenario, death.
As companies wait for more information from federal agencies on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has been ascribed to chopped romaine only and not a specific supplier, fresh produce industry associations are communicating in a uniform voice about the situation.
United Fresh Produce Association, Produce Marketing Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement have worked in concert on communications regarding this recent outbreak.
The most recent industry messages regarding romaine lettuce alerts have been frustrating for everyone in the supply chain.
In defense of all stakeholders, no one wants to err on the side of personal illness or worse case scenario, death.
As companies wait for more information from federal agencies on the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has been ascribed to chopped romaine only and not a specific supplier, fresh produce industry associations are communicating in a uniform voice about the situation.
United Fresh Produce Association, Produce Marketing Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement have worked in concert on communications regarding this recent outbreak.
Here are some important questions and answers:
Why did the CDC and FDA issue an alert before determining the specific source of the E.coli illnesses?
The agencies informed produce groups about the alerts shortly before posting them, and listened to industry concerns about a broad warning rather than a targeted one. Both the CDC and FDA believed they had to act on the information available. Their noted concern was the high number of illnesses in a short time frame (the most they have seen in a long time) and the severity of illness. There were a number of individuals hospitalized and a concern that product could still be in the supply chain.
They did not want to risk people continuing to eat affected product and becoming severely ill while the investigation continued. E. Coli illness can be devastating. They acted in what they determined was in the best interest of public health.
The CDC and FDA emphasized that only chopped romaine from the Yuma, Arizona growing region is suspected in the outbreak. Whole head romaine and romaine hearts have not been implicated. Nor is any romaine from other growing regions. Most growers had already transitioned to the Salinas growing areas.
Why has the word “recall” been used, even though a specific source of the outbreak has not been announced?
In the wake of the CDC alert, some suppliers — and subsequently retailers — voluntarily withdrew product from the marketplace. Their specific product has not been connected to the outbreak. In some cases, these actions have been described by those companies as recalls. A formal recall has not been issued.
At this posting, the produce industry is asking members of the supply chain to refrain from using the term “recall”. Consumers instead have received a product advisory or warning. Any romaine product in question has not been definitively linked to illnesses. No specific growers, farms, lots, processors, brands or shippers have been identified. Henny Penny is still looking for answers.




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