Urgent Update: Romaine Lettuce E. Coli Outbreak

The following update comes from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA):

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the following recommendation:

People should not eat romaine lettuce until more is known about the source of the contaminated lettuce and the status of the outbreak.

The FDA, along with CDC, state and local agencies, are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses likely linked to romaine lettuce. The Public Health Agency of Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency are also coordinating with U.S. agencies as they investigate a similar outbreak in Canada.

Until this has been resolved, romaine lettuce will not be available on the Fruits and Vegetables Order Receipt System (FFAVORS) catalog and will be removed from any pending orders. If you ordered and received romaine lettuce this week (November 19-23) dispose of the product and clean the area where it was stored.  The vendor is not responsible to give you a credit for the romaine. This is still an open investigation, not a recall and no common grower, supplier, distributor, or brand has been identified at this time.

Please note, orders must be placed 72 hours prior to requested delivery date. To make changes to orders for delivery on Tuesday through Friday of next week, Recipients Agencies must go into FFAVORS to make the necessary updates. For deliveries that are not within the 72 hour requirement, Recipient Agencies must directly contact the vendor and the DLA Service Representative.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact USDA at:  USDADoDFresh@fns.usda.gov