Romaine lettuce warning: CDC expands warning; restaurants pull salads from menu

As many as 53 people in 16 states have been infected with an outbreak of E. coli traced to romaine lettuce. (Contributed photo/CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising people to toss out all kinds of romaine lettuce unless they are certain it didn't come from the Yuma, Arizona growing region.

As many as 53 people in 16 states have been infected with an outbreak of E. coli traced to romaine lettuce. Thirty-one people have been hospitalized, including five people who have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No fatalities have been reported.

No cases have been reported in Alabama, though the CDC warning covers the nation.

"Based on new information, CDC is expanding its warning to consumers to cover all types of romaine lettuce from the Yuma, Ariz., growing region. This warning now includes whole heads and hearts of romaine lettuce, in addition to chopped romaine and salads and salad mixes containing romaine.

"Unless the source of the product is known, consumers anywhere in the United States who have any store-bought romaine lettuce at home should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick," the notice said.

Restaurants and retailers are advised not to serve or sell any romaine lettuce from the Yuma area.

"Restaurants and retailers should ask their suppliers about the source of their romaine lettuce," the CDC said.

Some restaurants are pulling salads from the menu as a precaution.

Cases of E. coli traced to lettuce have been reported in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Washington. Symptoms included stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, the CDC said.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.