The outbreak has sickened at least 35 people in 11 states, including 22 people who were hospitalized due to severe food poisoning.
Consumers anywhere in the U.S. who have store-bought chopped romaine lettuce, including salads and salad mixes, should not eat it and throw it away — even if you have eaten some of it already.
Consumers should also avoid eating romaine salads in restaurants unless it can be verified that it doesn’t come from Yuma, Arizona.
Illnesses have been reported in Connecticut (2), Idaho (8), Illinois (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (7), New York (2), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (9), Virginia (1), and Washington (1).
The lettuce may have been served at Panera Bread, according to an investigation of several illnesses in New Jersey. A woman who was sickened with E. coli after eating a salad at Panera has filed a lawsuit against Panera and its lettuce supplier, Freshway Foods.
Fresh Food Manufacturing Co., based in Freedom, Pennsylvania, recalled 8,757 pounds of ready-to-eat salad after being notified by their lettuce supplier that it may be contaminated with E. Coli O157:H7, according to the USDA.
The recalled 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:
- 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.
E. coli symptoms like stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting usually last around 7 days. E. coli may cause a type of kidney failure known as Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).
Source: E. coli outbreak linked to possibly tainted lettuce; salad mixes recalled
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