Just in time for Thanksgiving, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention today (Tuesday) issued a nationwide advisory warning against consumption of any type of romaine lettuce. It may be contaminated with a dangerous strain of E.coli. Lane County health officials urge all residents to refrain from the ruffage until more is known.
At least 32 people in 11 states have been infected with E.coli after eating romaine lettuce. This particular strain of Shinga toxin-producing bacteria can cause kidney failure. The serious health risk has prompted a broad alert sent out to public health departments everywhere. Matthew Luedtke is an Environmental Health Specialist for Lane County.
“The CDC is issuing an advisory for all romaine,” Luedtke says. “Whether you’ve already bought it, even if you’ve already eaten some and you haven’t noticed symptoms already. They’re recommending that everyone throw out their romaine or do not use it until it’s been found where this is coming from and which products were effected.”
Luedtke says the warning against romaine is nationwide because the CDC doesn’t know where or when the E.coli contamination occurred- so it could pop up anywhere. So far, no cases have been reported cases in Oregon.