Romaine Lettuce Recall Expands to More Grocery Stores

E. coli fears have caused the recall of romaine lettuce. According to experts, dirt can get stuck in the channels of the lettuce, thus allowing bacteria to linger.

“CDC’s warning not to eat romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California, growing region includes ALL types of romaine (whole head, hearts of romaine, salad mixes, organic, etc.). Throw them away,” says a tweet by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on November 23rd. The recall has expanded to more major retailers on Monday, November 25th.

OUTBREAK UPDATE: E. coli O157:H7
FDA is warning consumers not eat any romaine lettuce harvested from Salinas, CA. If romaine doesn’t have label information or consumers can’t confirm it is from outside Salinas, they should not eat or use it. https://t.co/Gnmjj0hEmI pic.twitter.com/88x7Zd9KGQ

— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) November 22, 2019

Kroger is the latest grocery store chain to join the recall warning, joining Target, Walmart, Wegmans, Aldi, and Sam's Club on the list. Forty cases of E. coli infection in 16 states were reported and connected to this recall. While no deaths have been reported from the E. coli contamination, five people developed a kidney failure condition.

FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas said that romaine lettuce with no labeling information for its growing area or source must not be consumed. In addition, all types of romaine grown in the Salinas area must be avoided – precut hearts of romaine, salad kits, and mixes.

In a report by Fox 35, “experts say recall like this will likely last several weeks until the CDC finds the source.”