Outbreak reportcited by the Tayebat archiveabstract only checked A-VEG-03 standard review

Listeria in packaged salads

Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Associated with Packaged Leafy Green Salads, United States and Canada, 2015-2016.

Overview

Self JL et al.. Emerg Infect Dis 2019 · PMID 31310227 · DOI 10.3201/eid2508.180761

33 listeriosis cases linked to salads from one factory.

Does the study support the specific claim? Partly · Methodological quality: high

Study explained simply

What did the researchers want to find out?: Investigate outbreak
How was the study done?: Genomic outbreak study
How many people, animals or samples were studied?: 33 cases
What was actually found?: One facility
How large was the observed effect?: Not applicable
What do the results mean in everyday life?: High-risk groups need care with packaged salads.
What are the study's limitations?: Single event
What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?: Partly supports
Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?: Moderate
What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?: Cannot show salads are generally harmful.

Authors: Self JL, Conrad A, Stroika S, Jackson A, Whitlock L, Jackson KA, Beal J, Wellman A, Fatica MK, Bidol S, Huth PP, Hamel M, Franklin K, Tschetter L, Kopko C, Kirsch P, Wise ME, Basler C
Journal: Emerg Infect Dis
Year: 2019
Identifier: PMID 31310227 DOI 10.3201/eid2508.180761 · PMC6649349
Verification: verified – PubMed E-utilities efetch, 2026-10-25
Retracted: no
Corrections: none
Extent checked: abstract only
Conflicts of interest and funding: not stated in abstract

Investigate listeriosis cluster.

Study design: Outbreak report – Outbreak investigation with whole-genome MLST
Population: Case-patients
Country: USA, Canada
Period: July 2015 - January 2016
Sample size: 19 US + 14 Canadian cases
Inclusion and exclusion criteria: WGS-linked cases

Results: 19 US cases; all 16 interviewed ate salad; 9 recalling brand linked to one facility; 14 Canadian cases; facility and product isolates closely related; recall.
Absolute risks: not reported
Authors' conclusion: Research needed to reduce Listeria contamination of fresh produce.

Descriptive.

Supports C-VEG-03.

Context of rarity.

Moderate.

Correct but generalised.

Multidimensional assessment
Multidimensional assessment
Authenticity of the source	verified
Methodological quality	high
Risk of bias	low
Precision of results	not applicable
Directness	direct
Reproducibility	replicated
Consistency with the overall evidence	consistent
Regional transferability	moderate
Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive)	essentially correct but incomplete

None.

Note: according to the archive, the studies were compiled by the archive operators. Whether Dr. Elawady himself cited this study is not established.

What the archive says about the study: Bibliography: Listeria in packaged salads.
A. What was actually studied?: Listeriosis outbreak.
B. What did the authors find?: Facility-linked salads.
C. What conclusions do the authors themselves draw?: Prevention research needed.
D. What does the archive derive from it?: Greens are dangerous.
E. Is this derivation scientifically justified?: Shows a processing-facility contamination, not inherent harm.
Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive): essentially correct but incomplete