Just in time for Thanksgiving, federal officials are issuing a warning to Canada and the USA concerning an outbreak of e coli in romaine lettuce.

The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and state health officials in the U.S.A. and Canada are also asking restaurants not to serve anything with romaine until further investigation.

The Detroit Free Press is passing along some tips from officials on food consumption safety, especially in regard to romaine lettuce:

  • All types of romaine should be thrown away, including whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine, bag salads, salad mixes and salad kits that contain cut romaine lettuce. 
  • Throw out romaine lettuce even if someone already ate some without becoming sick.
  • If you’re unsure if the lettuce is romaine, throw it away.
  • Washing the lettuce will not make it safe to eat.
  • Refrigerator drawers and shelves should be thoroughly washed and sanitized if they recently held romaine. 

So far, the e coli outbreak has reached 11 states, Wisconsin, New York, Ohio, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Michigan, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Connecticut, and California.

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