CDC: Don't Eat Romaine Lettuce, It's Linked To E. Coli Outbreak
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - You want to think again before serving salad for Thanksgiving.
U.S. health officials are telling people to avoid eating romaine lettuce because of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 32 people in 11 states.
Outbreak Alert: Do not eat any romaine lettuce, including whole heads and hearts, chopped, organic and salad mixes with romaine until we learn more. If you don't know if it's romaine or can't confirm the source, don't eat it. https://t.co/NrFOIxG8hx pic.twitter.com/FuzkHv4bd3
— CDC (@CDCgov) November 20, 2018
The Food and Drug Administration says it's working with officials in Canada, where people are also being warned to stay away from romaine lettuce. The strain identified is different than the one linked to romaine earlier this year, but it appears similar to one linked to leafy greens last year.
FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb says the agency doesn't yet have enough information to request suppliers issue a recall. But he says suppliers can help by withdrawing romaine products until the contamination can be identified.
The CDC says if you've bought any romaine lettuce, it's best to just throw it away. You should also make sure to clean the inside of your fridge, especially the produce drawers.
No deaths have been reported. The last illness was reported on Oct. 31.
Most E. coli bacteria are not harmful, but some produce toxins that can cause severe illness.
For more information on the outbreak including what symptoms to look out for, click here.