CDC: Throw Out Your Romaine Lettuce

Time to check your fridge - the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising consumers to throw out your romaine lettuce. 

Health officials made the announcement Friday night after receiving additional reports of new cases of the E coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma, Arizona region. The CDC expanded its warning on Friday to cover whole heads and hearts of romaine lettuce, in addition to the chopped romaine and salads and salad mixes that contain romaine. 

The CDC says the outbreak has spread to 16 states, with more than 53 people sickened. The agency based the new warning after eight new cases of acute gastroenteritis was reported at a correctional facility in Nome, Alaska that appeared to be connected to the current outbreak. 

If you can't tell whether the lettuce is romaine or not, the CDC advises that you should throw it away to remain on the safe side. No common grower, supplier, distributor or brand has been identified in the outbreak so far the CDC said. 

The CDC says people should avoid purchasing any romaine lettuce at a grocery store or restaurant unless you can be certain it is not from the Yuma, Arizona region. 

"Because this outbreak involves a strain of E. coli bacteria (O157:H7) that can lead to serious illness including kidney failure, state officials are asking Alaskans to follow CDC recommendations and avoid any romaine lettuce products that could be contaminated," the release said. 

So far, illnesses linked to the lettuce have been reported in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington. No deaths have been reported. 

While no deaths have been reported, thirty-one people have been hospitalized, and five have developed a type of kidney failure known as hemolytic uremic syndrome. 


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