The Michigan Department of Community Health said the number of E. coli bacteria cases linked to iceberg lettuce has risen to 30 by Monday and the outbreak doesn’t seem to be over.

Four new cases have been reported since Friday – two in Ingham County, one in Macomb County and one in Wayne County.

On Friday, the Michigan Department of Community Health issued a public health alert saying industrial-sized packages of iceberg lettuce are thought to be associated with 26 illnesses caused by E. coli O157:H7. Ten people needed hospitalization since the outbreak began Sept. 8.

E. coli O157:H7 is a dangerous strain, which can cause ailments ranging from bloody diarrhea to liver and kidney damage and sometimes even death.

An investigation into the outbreak has already been started. Meanwhile, Aunt Mid’s has voluntarily suspended production of the lettuce. Institutions and restaurants were also warned to stop using iceberg lettuce chopped or shredded and shipped in large bags by Aunt Mid’s. In response, some restaurants have taken ill iceberg lettuce dishes off their menus.

Aunt Mid’s CEO Philip A Riggio said the company officials are unaware of where “it came from,” since tests done on their products did not show any trace of E. coli. However, they are treating the situation with maximum care and attention, as the safety of their customers is crucial to their business.

The E. coli outbreak reinforces the conclusion of a report made public on Friday by the Government Accountability Office, namely that the Food and Drug Administration fails to protect Americans against food-borne illnesses due to staffing shortage, infrequent inspections and lax enforcement at fresh produce processing plants.

The investigation was requested by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. and Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass. in 2006 after E. coli contamination in bagged spinach killed three people, sickened 200 others and cost the leafy greens industry $86 million.