Romaine lettuce recalled for E.coli scare

Romaine lettuce, sold under the brands Freshway Foods and Imperial Sysco, is being recalled across 23 states and the District of Columbia, the Associated Press reports. The lettuce may be the source of an E. coli outbreak that’s responsible for at least 12 hospitalizations so far. Three patients have life-threatening symptoms and have been diagnosed with a condition that could cause bleeding in the brain, according to the AP. The recall applies to lettuce with a “best if used by” date of May 12 or earlier, and to packaged salads sold at Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets, and Marsh grocery stores.

That caused wholesalers, restaurants, delis, and grocery stores in 23 states to pull romaine products off their shelves.

While these companies are expected to pull most of the suspect lettuce before it reaches consumers, consumers should watch out for so-called “grab and go” salads containing romaine lettuce sold at in-store salad bars and delis at Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets, and Marsh stores, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns.

They have a “use by” date of May 12 or earlier. Consumers who have such salads from Freshway should throw them away, the company says.

Freshway salads with “use by” dates after May 12 are not affected by the recall, nor are any bulk or prepackaged romaine lettuce or bagged salad mixes using romaine, Freshway says. The company, based in Sidney, Ohio, doesn’t make those products, which are typically sold in the produce section.

“Multiple lines of evidence have implicated shredded romaine lettuce from one processing facility,” the FDA said in a release.

Consumers with questions can call the company at 888-361-7106 on weekdays (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT) or visit its website for updates (www.freshwayfoods.com). You can read the company’s release here.