CDC Issues Romaine Lettuce Alert

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is alerting consumers that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is advising people to not eat any romaine lettuce, and is advising retailers and restaurants to not serve or sell any romaine lettuce. The CDC is putting out this alert as it investigates a multi-state E. coli outbreak. To date, 32 cases and 13 hospitalizations have been associated with the outbreak.

Consumers who have any type of romaine lettuce in their home should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick. This advice includes all types or uses of romaine lettuce, such as whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine, and bags and boxes of pre-cut lettuce and salad mixes that contain romaine, including baby romaine, spring mix, and Caesar salad.

If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine or whether a salad mix contains romaine, do not eat it and throw it away. Wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in refrigerators where romaine was stored. Refrigerator cleaning guidance is available online. Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell any romaine lettuce, including salads and salad mixes containing romaine.