Do not eat any romaine lettuce! Officials urge after E. coli outbreak

HOUSTON – Food regulators have urged Americans to not consume any romaine lettuce because of a new food poisoning outbreak Tuesday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the alert after an outbreak of illnesses caused by a particularly dangerous type of E. coli contamination. The CDC told consumers to dispose of any romaine lettuce that has been purchased.

Restaurants and businesses should not serve or sell people the lettuce, regardless of where or when it was grown.

So far, 32 people in 11 states have become sick from eating the contaminated romaine lettuce and 13 of those have been hospitalized, according to health officials.

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FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb says the agency doesn't yet have enough information to request suppliers issue a recall. But he says suppliers can help by withdrawing romaine products until the contamination can be identified.

No deaths have been reported. The last illness was reported on Oct. 31.

Most E. coli bacteria are not harmful, but some produce toxins that can cause severe illness.


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