US health officials have told consumers to throw away any store-bought cos lettuce, called romaine in America, and warned restaurants not to serve it amid an E coli outbreak that has sickened more than 50 people in several states.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded its warning about tainted romaine from Arizona, saying information from new illnesses led it to caution against eating any forms of the lettuce that may have come from the city of Yuma. Officials have not found the origin of the contaminated vegetables.
Previously, CDC officials had only warned against chopped romaine by itself or as part of salads and salad mixes. But they are now extending the risk to heads or hearts of romaine lettuce.
People at an Alaska correctional facility recently reported feeling ill after eating from whole heads of romaine lettuce. They were traced to lettuce harvested in the Yuma region, according to the CDC.
So far, the outbreak has infected 53 people in 16 states. At least 31 have been hospitalised, including five with kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.
Symptoms of E coli infection include diarrhoea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting.
The CDC's updated advisory said consumers nationwide should not buy or eat romaine lettuce from a grocery store or restaurant unless they can get confirmation it did not come from Yuma. People also should toss any romaine they already have at home unless it's known it didn't come from the area, the agency said.
Restaurants and retailers were warned not to serve or sell romaine lettuce from Yuma.
Romaine grown in coastal and central California, Florida and central Mexico is not at risk, according to the Produce Marketing Association.
The Yuma region, which is roughly 185 miles (298km) southwest of Phoenix and close to the California border, is referred to as the country's "winter vegetable capital." It is known for its agriculture and often revels in it with events like a lettuce festival.
Australian Associated Press
