When Will We Be Able to Eat Romaine Lettuce Again

(HealthDay)— Caesar salad fans, rest easy: It'southward condom to eat romaine lettuce again.

Just be sure to check the label, to avert any chance of E. coli, the U.S. Nutrient and Drug Administration now says.

In a argument released late Mon, FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb appear that the agency was lifting its advisory confronting eating romaine lettuce, offset put in identify terminal Tuesday.

At that bespeak, the agency hadn't been able to narrow down the source of the tainted lettuce, Gottlieb explained. Merely now the source seems to be "end of flavour" lettuce, harvested somewhere in the Primal Coast regions of central and northern California.

And, "harvesting of romaine lettuce from this region has [already] ended for the yr," Gottlieb noted.

So, starting as early on as this week, romaine lettuce sold in stores volition carry labels listing the region where the produce was grown, along with its harvest engagement, the FDA said. By checking these labels, consumers can quickly determine that the produce is safe to swallow.

"Romaine lettuce that was harvested outside of the Primal Declension growing regions of northern and fundamental California does not appear to be related to the current outbreak," Gottlieb stressed.

That would include romaine farmed in Arizona, Florida and Mexico, as well equally California's Imperial Valley—lettuce harvested from these areas is OK to swallow.

"Hydroponically- and greenhouse-grown romaine also does not appear to be related to the current outbreak," Gottlieb added. "There is no recommendation for consumers or retailers to avoid using romaine harvested from these sources."

If heads of romaine are sold loose, without affixed labels, retailers are being asked to mail service a discover showing place and date of harvest nearly the store register.

Such labeling may become standard going forwards, co-ordinate to an agreement between the FDA and the leafy greens manufacture, the agency said.

Then far, 43 people across 12 states take been sickened in this latest outbreak of E. coli, with onset in the concluding case occurring on Oct. 31.

Xx-two more cases take been reported in Canada. No deaths accept yet been reported in the outbreak.

"Through laboratory studies we have identified that theE. coliO157:H7 strain causing the outbreak is similar to ane that produced an outbreak ofE. coliO157:H7 in thefall of 2017 that also occurred in the U.South. and Canada, which was associated with consumption of leafy greens in the U.Southward. and specifically romaine lettuce in Canada," Gottlieb said.

So who's almost at gamble from E. coli?

Dr. Robert Glatter is an emergency dr. at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City who's seen the effects of infection with the gastrointestinal problems firsthand. It'south not a minor ailment, he said.

"In general, symptoms of Due east. coli infection generally begin about three to four days after consuming the bacteria, and may include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and watery or bloody diarrhea, along with fever," Glatter said.

And while healthy people who battle a bout of E. coli typically recover within five to seven days, the illness can be more protracted—and fifty-fifty deadly—for people already made vulnerable past chronic disease or advanced historic period.

"People with diabetes, kidney disease or those with cancer or autoimmune affliction run the take chances of a more than astringent disease," Glatter explained.

The particular strain of E. coli detected in the current lettuce outbreak—E. coli O157:H7—is particularly nasty, he noted.

"Most strains of Eastward. coli do not actually cause diarrhea, but East. coli O157 produces a powerful toxin that injures the inner lining of the small intestine, leading to bloody diarrhea," Glatter said. Fifty-fifty a tiny amount of ingested bacteria could spur this type of illness.

"It can make people much more ill, and may atomic number 82 to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a blazon of kidney failure, in some cases," he said.

Indeed, the CDC has reported i such case already in the latest outbreak.

In many cases, antibiotics are used to aid beat out back an E. coli infection, merely these drugs tin can affect the kidneys, Glatter noted.

"Antibiotics may be necessary in certain cases, so it'southward important to see your doctor if you accept connected and severe symptoms such as fever, bloody diarrhea, and you are non able to swallow or drink," he said.

However, in the case of E. coli O157:H7, "taking antibiotics may actually increase your risk of developing kidney failure, so it'south important to speak with your health care provider if yous should develop severe symptoms," Glatter advised.

And if you do call back you might be sick with East. coli, or any other foodborne illness, make sure you don't spread it to those almost you lot.

The bacterium "can exist transmitted person-to-person, so it's vital that anyone who is potentially infected wash their hands thoroughly and non share utensils, cups or glasses," Glatter said. "This too goes for bath towels. Linens besides need to be washed in hot water and treated with bleach."

He noted that "basis beef, unpasteurized milk, fresh produce and contaminated water are mutual sources of E. coli bacteria."

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More than information: Find out more about E. coli disease at the U.Due south. Centers for Illness Control and Prevention.

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Citation: It'southward safe to eat romaine lettuce again, only cheque labels: FDA (2018, November 27) retrieved xvi March 2022 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-11-safety-romaine-lettuce-fda.html

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