The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released an updated advisement for U.S. consumers to restrain from eating romaine lettuce harvested from the Central Coastal growing regions of northern and central California. TriCounty Health Director Jordan Mathis says locals should take the warnings to heart. If you do not know where the romaine is from, do not eat it. Retailers and restaurants should avoid serving and sell romaine lettuce. E. coli from romaine lettuce has infected 32 people across 11 states. There are no confirmed cases in Utah but the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Utah Department of Health, and other agencies are still monitoring the situation. Mathis at TriCounty Health further advises individuals to throw away any romaine lettuce that you are unsure where it came from. That includes whole heads, hearts of romaine, as well as bags and boxes of pre-cut/salad mixes that might include romaine. If in doubt, throw it out. Restaurants and retailers need to check labels on bags and boxes or ask suppliers about the source of their romaine lettuce. Be sure to properly sanitize refrigerators, storage areas, and prep areas.
