Outbreak of E. coli Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Jonathan Lips

The CDC and FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce. To date there are no cases in Minnesota, but CDC and FDA are advising that U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any until they learn more about the outbreak. 

This investigation is ongoing and the advice will be updated as more information is available. For the latest outbreak information and advice to consumers, restaurants and retailers, see the CDC Food Safety Alert.

Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell any romaine lettuce, including salads and salad mixes containing romaine. Contact your supplier for further information about what to do with the product.

• Restaurants and retailers should always practice safe food handling and preparation measures. It is recommended that they wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot, soapy water before and after handling food.
• Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators regularly.
• Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils used to prepare, serve, or store food.
• Wash hands with hot water and soap following the cleaning and sanitation process.
• Regular frequent cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and utensils used in food preparation may help to minimize the likelihood of cross-contamination.

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 precut 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.
• Follow these five steps to clean your refrigerator.

Take action if you have symptoms of an E. coli infection:

• Talk to your healthcare provider.
• Write down what you ate in the week before you started to get sick.
• Report your illness to the health department.

To report a suspected foodborne or waterborne illness:

• Call 1-877-FOOD-ILL (1-877-366-3455) from within Minnesota.
• Email health.foodill@state.mn.us
• Or submit your report using the Foodborne and Waterborne Illness Report, our confidential online survey.