E Coli outbreak prompts warning to throw away Romaine lettuce
Outbreak that began in Arizona has spread all the way to Alaska
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.American consumers have been told to throw out any store-bought romaine lettuce as an E Coli outbreak has hospitalised dozens.
All types of romaine grown in a particular region of Arizona are at risk of spreading the disease, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said.
Regulators broadened a previous warning after people were sickened in Alaska, a state that is separated from Arizona by thousands of kilometres.
Infections have now been reported in 16 different states. The outbreak has rippled across the entire country, with cases registered on both coasts.
Unless eaters know their lettuce has not come from the Yuma, Arizona epicentre, authorities said, it is better to err on the side of caution and skip it.
“This includes whole heads and hearts of romaine, chopped romaine, and salads and salad mixes containing romaine lettuce. If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine, do not eat it and throw it away”, the health agency warned.
The same goes for eating at restaurants, the CDC said. Health authorities also recommend washing drawers and shelves that held romaine lettuce.
Some 53 cases have been reported since this strain of E Coli began spreading, with 31 people sent to the hospital. None of them have died.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments