Romaine Lettuce Warning – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a Public Health Alert following an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 foodborne illnesses associated with romaine lettuce grown in the Salinas, California region. FSIS warned the public against eating any wraps, sandwiches, prepackaged salad, salad kits, or other products containing romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California, growing region. Additionally, consumers should not eat any salad products included in the Missa Bay, LLC, recall announcement of November 21, 2019.
Romaine Lettuce Warning Linked To E. Coli Outbreak
In conjunction with the FSIS Public Health Alert, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in partnership with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and public health officials in several states, they are investigating a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 infections. The CDC indicated that as of December 18, 2019, a total of 17 people have been infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 from 8 states. The number of confirmed outbreak illnesses by state was as follows: Arizona (1), California (2), Colorado (1), Idaho (3), Maryland (2), Montana (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (6). Illness onset dates ranged from September 24, 2019 to November 8, 2019.
Romaine Lettuce Warning – Product Identification
As part of the romaine lettuce warning, the CDC and FDA advised consumers, retailers, and restaurants not to eat or sell any romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California, growing region.
The FSIS health alert noted:
“Most romaine lettuce products at retail are labeled with a harvest location showing where they were grown. CDC and the FDA are advising that if this voluntary label indicates that the romaine lettuce was grown in “Salinas” (whether alone or with the name of another location) do not eat it. If the romaine does not have information about harvest region or does not indicate that it has been grown indoors (i.e. hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown), throw it away or return it to the place of purchase.
FSIS-regulated establishments are advised not to serve, ship, or sell products that contain romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California, growing region. This advice includes all types of romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California, growing region, such as whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine, and packages of precut lettuce and salad mixes that contain romaine, including baby romaine, spring mix, and Caesar salad. If you do not know the source of your romaine lettuce, and if you cannot obtain that information from your supplier, you should not serve, ship, or sell the product.”
About E. Coli O157:H7
Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
Contact The Weinberg Law Firm For Food Poisoning Legal Help
The Weinberg Law Firm is currently assisting victims of food poisoning outbreaks nationwide. We are ready to help you too. If you have been sickened in the E. coli outbreak linked to contaminated romaine lettuce, and you would like to learn more about your legal rights, please call our firm toll free at 1-877-934-6274. Our phones are answered 24/7.
Please see NJ Food Poisoning Lawyer, Peach Recall and Listeria Lawsuit to learn more about our legal services.
