Almost 4 weeks after warning all US consumers against consuming Romaine Lettuce due to an E. Coli outbreak, the CDC has just announced that all non-expired romaine lettuce is now safe to eat.
They made the announced on their website and on Twitter, saying;
“According to the FDA, the last shipments of romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region were harvested on April 16, 2018, and the harvest season is over. It is unlikely that any romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region is still available in people’s homes, stores, or restaurants due to its 21-day shelf life. The most recent illnesses reported to CDC started when romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing region was likely still available in stores, restaurants, and in peoples’ homes.”
E. coli update: The last romaine lettuce shipments from the Yuma growing region were harvested on April 16 and are now past their 21-day shelf life. The romaine lettuce being sold and served today is NOT the romaine linked to illnesses. https://t.co/OVzp31mVqi pic.twitter.com/NQLH5elQxL
— CDC (@CDCgov) May 16, 2018
On April 19th, the CDC expanded their romaine lettuce warning to all 50 states, instructing everyone to “Throw away all chopped romaine lettuce, including salad mixes containing romaine, and any other foods stored with it or touching it…”
Check your fridge! Throw away all chopped romaine lettuce, including salad mixes containing romaine, and any other foods stored with it or touching it. Clean and sanitize all fridge, counter, and food surfaces with warm soapy water. https://t.co/wjPqDgq2At pic.twitter.com/8asTJTSwci
— CDC (@CDCgov) April 19, 2018
They also noted that the infected lettuce is coming out of Yuma, Az;
E. coli Outbreak Update: Based on new data, CDC advises throwing away whole heads of romaine and hearts of romaine, plus chopped romaine and salad mixes, from Yuma, Arizona growing region. https://t.co/WTdyf3IWsY pic.twitter.com/F1RHsL3rt4
— CDC (@CDCgov) April 20, 2018
Do you know anyone who has recently become ill after eating romaine?