E. coli warning: All romaine lettuce unsafe to eat, health agency warns

Consumers should not eat any romaine lettuce in any form, and restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell any of the vegetable, because of the possibility of E. coli contamination, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday.

In a safety alert issued this afternoon, the CDC says it is investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli infections, caused by a dangerous, toxin-producing strain of the bacteria called E. coli O157:H7, linked to consumption of romaine lettuce.

The CDC advises that consumers who have brought any kind of romaine lettuce home — heads, bagged romaine salad, hearts of romaine and any lettuce mixes suspected of containing any romaine — should not eat it and should throw it away immediately.

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Tweet:

Outbreak Alert: Do not eat any romaine lettuce, including whole heads and hearts, chopped, organic and salad mixes with romaine until we learn more. If you don’t know if it’s romaine or can’t confirm the source, don’t eat it. https://t.co/NrFOIxG8hxpic.twitter.com/FuzkHv4bd3

— CDC (@CDCgov) November 20, 2018

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They should also wash and sanitize any refrigerator shelves or drawers where romaine or romaine-containing mixes have been stored, the CDC advises.

The CDC is continuing to investigate the outbreak, and will continue to update its warning as more information becomes available.

The investigation into the outbreak involves the CDC, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and public health officials in several states and Canada.

Thirty-two people in 11 states have gotten sick from the E. coli strain, the CDC reports, including 13 people who were hospitalized.

According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, symptoms of E. coli infections include stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and fever. In rare cases, the infection can lead to kidney failure, the FDA says.

Credit: MARY ELLEN WRIGHT | Staff Writer