U.S. government officials have narrowed their search for the cause of an ongoing multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7-related foodborne illnesses to chopped, bagged romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma, Arizona region. Our deepest sympathies go out to those who have been impacted by this outbreak.
"We are cooperating fully with government and working closely to further identify the specific source of this outbreak," says a statement from the Produce Marketing Association. Specifically, government officials are advising consumers not to consume chopped, bagged romaine grown in Yuma. At this time, this advisory only applies to chopped, bagged romaine, not other forms of romaine such as whole heads or hearts. This advisory also does not apply to romaine grown elsewhere, including California. Consumers may check with their retailer and/or restaurant to assist them in identifying product origin.
Nearly all of the romaine lettuce now being harvested and shipped throughout the United States is from California growing areas, and is not implicated in the outbreak.
Recall of ready-to-eat salad products
Fresh Foods Manufacturing Co., a Freedom, Pa., establishment, is voluntarily recalling approximately 8,757 pounds of ready-to-eat salad products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The ready-to-eat salad products were produced from April 9, 2018 to April 12, 2018 and have a shelf-life of four days. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]
The ready-to-eat salad products were produced from April 9, 2018 to April 12, 2018 and have a shelf-life of four days. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]
- 11.5 oz., clear plastic containers of ready-to-eat “CAESAR SALAD WITH CHICKEN.” The product label is marked “Great to Go” by Market District and has a sell by date of 04/13/18-04/16/18. The case code is 81571201542.
- 14.4 oz., clear plastic containers of ready-to-eat “CHICKEN AND BACON” salad. The product label is marked “Great to Go” by Market District and has a sell by date of 04/13/18 – 04/16/18. The case code is 81571201541.
- 14.1 oz., clear plastic containers of ready-to-eat “CHEF SALAD WITH HAM, TURKEY, & HARD-BOILED EGG.” The product label is marked “Great to Go” by Market District and has a sell by date of 04/13/18 – 04/16/18. The case code is 81571201543.
- 13.1 oz., clear plastic containers of ready-to-eat “CHEF SALAD WITH HAM, TURKEY, & HARD-BOILED EGG.” The product label is marked “Great to Go” by Market District and has a sell by date of 04/13/18 – 04/16/18. The case code is 81571201545.
For the latest government information, please visit FDA and CDC websites.