The Seattle-King County Public Health Department is investigating an outbreak of E.coli O157: H7 (STEC) outbreak that has resulted in hospitalization of six children with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Other children have been less severely affected by infection with the STEC strain. A vehicle of infection has not yet been identified but there is evidence that organic vegetables may be involved.
EGG-NEWS has stated a number of times that the USDA Organic Seal does not relate to freedom from pathogenic organisms or warranty food safety. Products bearing the USDA Organic Certified seal conform to requirements including non-GMO and are produced according to regulations issued in terms of the statutory USDA Organic Program. Many of the principles guiding organic production have no scientific basis or justification and were created on the basis of subjective sentiment. The program lacks laboratory evaluation of products including verification of the absence of pesticides. The system of domestic and international certification relies on third-party audits of electronic and hard copy records by authorized contractors.