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.
What this means for you
Highest-severity recall. Risk of serious injury or death is documented or strongly suspected. 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
Distribution
Distributed in 1 state:
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