Local health experts weigh in on romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak
Just as thousands of families are headed for the kitchen to prepare their Thanksgiving meal, the CDC has issued a warning about romaine lettuce across the country.
It’s not technically a recall yet because the exact source of the E. coli outbreak hasn’t been determined. Unlike other recalls with specific buy dates or barcodes to follow, any kind of romaine lettuce — including heads, hearts or chopped romaine — could potentially dangerous for consumption.
Eric Gordon, a disease prevention nurse with the El Paso County Public Health says, “it’s a little unusual that this case is so widespread.”
Chances are thousands of Americans have already bought their haul of groceries for the holiday, and considering their chances with the lettuce they bought. Gordon says that’s not a good idea.
“You’ve probably washed lettuce and you find a little bit of dirt but it’s not always an ironclad 100 percent, there’s just too many nooks and crannies in the lettuce,” Gordon says.
Risks that come with eating E-coli infested lettuce means consumers can have diarrhea and risk the possibility of kidney failure.
The CDC says this outbreak is so bad they are recommending throwing away other produce that might have come into contact with romaine lettuce in your fridge.
Illness has been reported across 11 states, but so far, Colorado is not one of them.
Find more information at the CDC’s website here.
