Tainted romaine lettuce likely from the Central Coast

November 26, 2018

A nationwide E. Coli outbreak that has resulted in more than 30 hospitalizations and prompted health officials to instruct consumers to stay away from romaine lettuce may have started in Monterey County.

Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonazles said the contaminated lettuce most likely came from Monterey County and possibly San Benito County. The dates of the reported cases of E. Coli infections correspond with romaine lettuce season in Monterey and San Benito counties, Gonzales said. [Salinas Californian]

Between Oct. 8 and Oct. 31, 32 people across 11 states were infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli 0157:H7, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ten of the cases occurred in California.

A total of 13 people have been hospitalized as a result of the E. coli outbreak. There have been no deaths.

Additionally, there were 18 cases reported in Canada.

The CDC has advised consumers to avoid eating romaine lettuce. The CDC has also advised retailers and restaurants to stop selling and serving romaine lettuce until more is known about the current outbreak.

Last week, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department, too, advised residents to avoid eating romaine because of the nationwide outbreak.

If anyone suspects a salad mix might contain romaine lettuce, they should throw it away, according to the public health department. Additionally, any drawers or shelves in the refrigerator that might contain romaine lettuce should be washed and sanitized.

Symptoms typically develop three to four days after eating or drinking something that contains E. coli. An E. coli infection can result in high fever, blood in the stool and so much vomiting that one cannot keep liquids down.

Anyone who develops these symptoms is instructed to contact a healthcare provider. Antibiotics are generally not recommended for E. coli 0157 infections.


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Romain lettuce, broccoli, grapes, strawberries, almonds – all privileged people’s fortunes made on the backs of illegal labor. Cheater faces using republicat and demecon lawmakers to do their bidding.


Working wonderful, thank you ;)


If it was Cheese Whiz that was contaminated, would you feel the same way? Just curious.


One should ask how much did the de-regulation cost these farmers? I bet they are asking themselves that very question right now. Their entire crop now will be destroyed, costing them real money. And leaving all of us without romaine lettuce. How much did they save eliminating this regulation? Which one of these was the higher “cost” to the farmer in the long run?


How much you want to bet that farmers will now ask for government “relief” for this fiasco. We’ll pay for it either way.


I’d gladly pay 25 cents per package to ensure I don’t get E-coli, and be assured a steady supply of lettuce for our marketplace.


And we didn’t have these same warnings about foods during the Obama administration??? What rock were you living under…..


We have had food warnings and recalls for decades.

However that has nothing to do with my comment or the article as no one was questioning the actual warning/s or the warning regulations.


Reads like “Montezuma’s Revenge” has already made it through the Tijuana boarder.


What? “most likely came from Monterey County and possibly San Benito County.”


No Tijuana involved, home grown. However the orange idiot may close the border permanently, in his dreams. Lol pass the blame.