The FDA has announced the launch of a multi-year study to improve food safety through enhanced understanding of the ecology of human pathogens that may cause foodborne illness outbreaks. 

E. coli tests of romaine fields where investigators traced contaminated lettuce did not turn up outbreak strains, so the FDA will move to an in-depth “root-cause” investigation for three outbreaks.

As the FDA awaits final results from extensive E. coli tests of romaine lettuce farms in one California growing region, it says outbreak illnesses are slowing, though two separate outbreaks have popped up.

Health officials warned people not to eat romaine lettuce from Salinas, Calif., because it is likely the source of an E. coli outbreak.

Investigators announced an E. coli outbreak and a trace of romaine lettuce, prompting a recall of salad kits and bowls sold at many stores in 22 states.

The USDA announced a public health alert about raw beef, gyro meat and kebabs imported from a company in the middle of a widening food safety investigation in Canada.

Recalls of flour milled by ADM Milling Company continue. The FDA notified the company that samples of flour from two production lots manufactured in late 2018 tested positive for E. coli.

General Mills recalled 5-pound bags of Gold Medal unbleached all-purpose flour because E. coli was found in product sampling.