E. coli one of top foodborne diseases

ATLANTA, April 13 (UPI) -- Federal officials in Atlanta say E. coli in leafy greens is one of the leading causes of foodborne illnesses in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's annual report on foodborne disease shows progress against some foodborne diseases has stalled, USA Today reported.

Robert Tauxe, deputy director of CDC's Foodborne, Bacterial and Mycotic Diseases division, says E. coli in meat is decreasing because of major food safety reforms by the meat industry. Three major outbreaks, however, of the deadly O157:H7 strain in spinach and lettuce last year "brought E. coli roaring back," the newspaper said. .

USA Today said Fresh Express announced Thursday that it's awarding $2 million to the study of E. coli O157:H7 in lettuce and leafy greens.