Romaine Lettuce Recall

If you noticed lots of empty shelves in the produce department at Target, Walmart, Aldi, and Sam’s Club- that’s because romaine lettuce has once again been recalled nationwide due to an E. Coli outbreak sickening people in at least 16 states.

The products were harvested in Salinas, California.

According to the CDC, 40 people have been sickened, 28 have been hospitalized, and 5 developed kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.

The recall includes all types of romaine, including full heads of romaine, precut hearts of romaine, as well as salad kits and mixes that includes baby romaine, spring mix and Caesar salad.

FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas issued this statement:  “If romaine lettuce does not have labeling information for its growing area or the source cannot be confirmed, consumers should not eat or use the romaine. Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell romaine lettuce if they cannot confirm it is from outside Salinas.”

While the recall includes products sold under many different brand names, the CDC said the infected items have “Use By” dates ranging from Oct. 29, 2019, to Nov. 1, 2019. And the products have establishment number “EST. 18502B” inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture mark of inspection. Worried shoppers can visit the USDA website for a full list.

Yiannas confirmed that you can keep eating romaine that was harvested outside Salinas or grown indoors.