The FDA reports that Freshway Foods of Sidney Ohio, is recalling romaine lettuce products due to a link between the recalled lettuce and an outbreak of E. coli O145 foodborne illnesses. The E. coli O145 illnesses were reported in Michigan, Ohio, and New York.
The link between the recalled romaine lettuce and food poisoning outbreak was suggested after E. coli O145 was detected by the New York State Public Health Laboratory in an unopened bag of Freshway shredded romaine lettuce.
The recalled Freshway lettuce was distributed to wholesalers, food service outlets, and store salad bars and delis in Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The FDA provides the following description of the recalled shredded romaine lettuce, which was sold under the Freshway and Imperial Sysco brands:
The recalled shredded romaine lettuce has a “best if used by” date of May 12 or earlier. The Freshway Foods press release advises restaurants, distributors, and retailers to throw out or refrain from using shredded romaine lettuce from Freshway Foods with these “use by” dates. Additionally, Freshway Foods is advising consumers not to eat “grab and go” salads sold in-store salad bars and delis at Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets, and Marsh stores.
Shredded romaine lettuce from Freshway Foods with “use by” dates after May 12 are not involved in this voluntary recall. Romaine lettuce and other types of lettuce and leafy greens from other producers are also not affected by this recall.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, provided the following outbreak information as of May 5, 2010:
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A total of 19 confirmed and 10 probable cases of E. coli O145 food poisoning were reported from three states. The E. coli illnesses were reported since March 1, 2010, and had the following distribution by state: Michigan (10 confirmed illnesses and 3 probable), New York (2 confirmed illnesses and 5 probable) and Ohio (7 confirmed illnesses and 2 probable.)
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Of the confirmed and probable E. coli cases with reported dates available, illnesses began between April 10, 2010 and April 26, 2010.
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The E. coli O145 outbreak victims range in age from 13 years to 29 years old.
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For the 29 patients with available information, 12 (41%) were hospitalized. Three of these patients have developed a rare type of kidney failure known as hemolytic-uremic syndrome, HUS.
Symptoms of E. coli infection may include severe abdominal cramps, fever, and watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may become bloody and can lead to dehydration. Severe infections can cause kidney failure. The very young, elderly, and immunocompromised are at greatest risk for experiencing complications due to E. coli infection.
If you are experiencing E. coli food poisoning symptoms or have a health related question, contact your healthcare professional. He or she can order a stool culture which can confirm E. coli O145 infection. Let your doctor know that you consumed the recalled product.
The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg represents victims of food poisoning outbreaks nationwide. We are ready to help you. If you believe that you were injured in this latest E. coli outbreak, please request a free case evaluation by selecting E. coli Lawyer, or call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274.
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