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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFDA/CDC Warns- DO NOT EAT Romaine from Salinas, CA
FDA/ CDC issues new warning: DO NOT EAT ROMAINE from Salinas, California.
November 26, 2019
Recommendation
FDA, CDC, and state health authorities are investigating an outbreak of illnesses caused by E. coli O157:H7 in the United States. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence indicates that romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California growing region is a likely source of this outbreak. The CDC is reporting an increase in the case count to 67 and that the most recent illness onset date is November 14, 2019.
Romaine from Salinas, California Label Enjoy By December 2, 2019
Romaine from Salinas, California Label Use By November 29, 2019
Consumers: Consumers should not eat romaine lettuce harvested from Salinas, California. Additionally, consumers should not eat products identified in the recall announced by the USDA on November 21, 2019.
Romaine lettuce may be voluntarily labeled with a harvest region. 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. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. If romaine lettuce 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. Consumers ordering salad containing romaine at a restaurant or at a salad bar should ask the staff whether the romaine came from Salinas. If it did, or they do not know, do not eat it.
At this time, romaine lettuce that was harvested outside of the Salinas region has not been implicated in this outbreak investigation. Hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown romaine, which is voluntarily labeled as indoor grown, from any region does not appear to be related to the current outbreak. There is no recommendation for consumers to avoid using romaine harvested from these other sources.
Restaurants and Retailers: Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell romaine harvested from Salinas, California. 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, nor sell it.
Suppliers and Distributors: Suppliers, distributors and others in the supply chain should not ship or sell romaine harvested in Salinas, California. If the source of the romaine lettuce is unknown, you should not ship, nor sell the product.
For Restaurants, Retailers, Suppliers and Distributors: Currently, the FDA does not have enough traceback information to identify the specific source of the contamination that would allow us to request a targeted recall from specific growers. At this stage in the investigation, the most efficient way to ensure that contaminated romaine is off the market would be for industry to voluntarily withdraw product grown in Salinas, and to withhold distribution of Salinas romaine for the remainder of the growing season in Salinas. FDA has made this request of industry.
At this time, romaine lettuce that was harvested outside of the Salinas region has not been implicated in this outbreak investigation. Hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown romaine, which is voluntarily labeled as indoor grown, from any region does not appear to be related to the current outbreak. There is no recommendation for consumers or retailers to avoid using romaine harvested from these other sources.
Background
According to the CDC, as of November 25, 2019, 67 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 19 states. The case patients report that illnesses started on dates ranging from September 24,
More information at: https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-e-coli-o157h7-outbreak-linked-romaine-salinas-california-november-2019
MontanaMama
(23,294 posts)I just took a new package of organic romaine hearts out of my fridge and it is in fact from Salinas, CA.
Response to James48 (Original post)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
doc03
(35,293 posts)Response to doc03 (Reply #3)
Chin music This message was self-deleted by its author.
Raftergirl
(1,283 posts)my market sent out an automated call yesterday informing their customers. I returned two bags of salad today and got a refund.
Both bags had romaine in them and Salinas on the bags.
James48
(4,426 posts)Last edited Tue Nov 26, 2019, 10:31 PM - Edit history (1)
A few days ago it was just bags of mixed salad, limited to a couple brand names. That was a formal recall.
Today they are saying a broader Do Not Eat warning, saying it should be ALL romaine lettuce, in salads, or in heads, from Salinas, California area.
That is a HUGE portion of the production.
Raftergirl
(1,283 posts)When I first heard about it, it was what you stated so I didnt think my bags were affected as they were not those brands. Then my markets call said all romaine with Salinas recalled.
mnmoderatedem
(3,721 posts)where I pick up ready made box salads. When I asked here they moved them to, they informed me if this recall
WestLosAngelesGal
(268 posts)I explained why (label showed that it contains Romaine and is also marked Salinas) and employee said he was unaware that the recall also included Costco. The lettuce recall is not on the Costco site, however, I told him about the CDC advisory.