Avoid All Romaine Lettuce, Warns CDC

 Posted on November 21, 2018 in Food Poisoning

By Lindsay Proskey

In its third warning since 2017, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) told people not to eat romaine lettuce, which is linked to a multi-state E. coli outbreak. Along with the CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Canadian officials are investigating the outbreak, which has sickened 50 people across the United States and Canada. No deaths have been reported, but 13 people in the U.S. and six in Canada have been hospitalized. 

Unlike the previous warnings directed at specific brands or growing regions, this blanket warning is directed at any and all types of romaine lettuce, including salad mixes containing romaine. Officials believe that contaminated lettuce is still on the market and need more information about the outbreak’s source before suppliers can be asked for a recall, said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. In the meantime, retailers and restaurants should discontinue supplying romaine lettuce to the public, and everyone should throw away any romaine lettuce at home.  

In the U.S., the last reported illness was on October 31, while Canada reported infections as of early November. But, illnesses that occurred after October 30 might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill with E. coli infection and when the illness is reported. This takes an average of two to three weeks. Symptoms of an E. coli infection include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. 

Tim Tomasik of Tomasik Kotin Kasserman represents loved ones and children that are poisoned as the result of the negligent sale and preparation of food products to the public, and he has successfully prosecuted food poisoning cases on behalf of victims. For more information about our work in this area, please call the law offices of TKK at 312-605-8800 or contact us online.