E. Coli Lettuce Outbreak Leaves Three Gravely Ill

Shredded romaine lettuce from Freshway Foods is believed to have caused 19 confirmed cases of E. coli illnesses in Michigan, Ohio, and New York. 12 people have been hospitalized, and three now have a potentially life threatening complication called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). With HUS, your body’s blood-clotting mechanisms are altered, causing blocked circulation or bleeding in the brain or kidneys, according to the FDA.

The FDA is focusing its investigation on lettuce grown in Arizona as a possible source for the outbreak, the AP reports. After several weeks of investigation, the contamination was discovered Wednesday in a bag of Freshway Foods shredded romaine lettuce by the New York State Public Health Laboratory in Albany. The company has now recalled all lettuce with a "best if used by" date of May 12th or earlier. The recall also affects "grab and go" salads sold at Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets and Marsh grocery stores.

At least two people in New York State—a Daemen College student in Amherst and a Dutchess County resident—were sickened by the bacterial outbreak; they are said to be recovering. But the risk of shitting blood, kidney damage, and death wasn't enough to keep 21-year-old Sai Lawrence from eating her romaine salad in Times Square yesterday. Informed about the E. Coli outbreak by the Post, Lawrence said, "I'm scared, but I already paid for this."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in Food on May 7, 2010 11:20 AM

Comments [rss]

RottenApple

E. Coli. One of the unintended benefits of using sewage sludge as fertilizer. That poop you took two weeks ago nurtured the wad of lettuce in that salad you had for lunch today. It's the circle of life, baby.

Rocknrope

Here's a tip, do not buy pre-picked, shredded, or otherwise manhandled fruits or vegetables. For god's sake, spend the extra five minutes it takes to wash and slice your own lettuce. Not only is it cheaper, but it's safer than buying a bag of leaves handled by god knows who.

And you all do know that those nicely cut-up fruits in Fairway and bodegas are the parts of the whole fruit that weren't rotten and could be saved and packaged for you, right?

slickshoes

i love that Gothamnist says "shitting blood" in this article. So much for trying to sounds professional

echo

no meat. no veggies. just ensure.

ides_of_march

This is what happens when the people who pick and prepare fresh produce don't wash their damn hands.

TooTallJeff

You've said a lot of dopey shit here. but this might be the new #1.

VanessaNYC

Ides,

I'm pretty sure this has to do with farming practices, not a few workers with poopy hands.

hotstepper

why the fuck are we growing lettuce in a DESERT?

Atomische

This is why I only eat Hot Pockets.

HypocraticOath

Well this quote was a bit out of place...

The recall really only affects (as stated) "Freshway Foods shredded romaine lettuce by the New York State Public Health Laboratory in Albany. The recall also affects "grab and go" salads sold at Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets and Marsh grocery stores."

Those stores are of the substandard variety popular with upstate-ers. Call me when it affects Whole Foods. #elitist

TooTallJeff

Whole Foods?!?! ppsh. Call me when it affects the Coop. #superelitist

schadenfreudian mensch

"Lawrence said, "I'm scared, but I already paid for this.""

Because my life is worth less than the $7.50 I'd pay for this salad. I would rather die than waste $7.50.