Agency classPublic Health AlertOur severity:Critical USDA FSIS·pha-112219·Announced 2019-11-22

USDA Issues Public Health Alert for Romaine Lettuce from Salinas, California

USDA FSIS issued a public health alert for romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California, growing region due to E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. Consumers should not eat or sell affected products.

The agency’s classification

USDA FSIS: Public Health Alert

Public Health Alert is a warning FSIS issues when there is a food-safety concern but a recall is not requested, typically because the affected product is no longer available for purchase.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 5/5 (Critical).

Highest-severity recall. The hazard can cause serious injury or death. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states the alert is due to 'illnesses caused by E. coli O157:H7' and describes the bacterium as 'potentially deadly,' meeting the rubric criteria for Critical severity involving high-risk pathogens with reported illness.

Plain-English summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued a public health alert on November 22, 2019, regarding romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California, growing region. This alert was issued due to illnesses caused by E. coli O157:H7 associated with the produce. FSIS warns against consuming any wraps, sandwiches, prepackaged salad, salad kits, or other products containing romaine lettuce from this specific region.

Additionally, consumers are advised not to eat any salad products identified in a separate recall announced by FSIS on November 21, 2019, involving Missa Bay, LLC. On the same day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers, retailers, and restaurants not to eat or sell any romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California, growing region. If a product label indicates the romaine was grown in Salinas, it should not be consumed. If the harvest region is unknown or not indicated as grown indoors, the product should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. While most people recover within a week, some may develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. Persons experiencing symptoms such as easy bruising, pallor, or decreased urine output should seek emergency medical care immediately. FSIS-regulated establishments are advised not to serve, ship, or sell products containing romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California, growing region if the source cannot be verified.

The recalled product

Product: FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Products Produced With Romaine From the Salinas, California, Growing Region
Brand: Missa Bay LLC
Manufacturer: Missa Bay LLC
Category: Food — Fresh Produce
Hazard: e-coli-o157h7
foodborne-illness

Distribution

Distributed in 1 state:

Same brand · Missa Bay LLC

Critical
Missa Bay Recalls Salad Products Due to Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination
USDA FSIS · 2019-11-21
Critical
Missa Bay LLC Recalls Chicken Wrap Kits Due to Undeclared Allergens
USDA FSIS · 2017-11-16
High
Missa Bay Recalls Chicken Caesar Salad Due to Undeclared Wheat Allergen
USDA FSIS · 2017-08-15

Same manufacturer · Missa Bay LLC

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Same hazard · e coli o157h7