E. coli O145 Concerns Prompt Lettuce Recall
According to the FDA, Freshway Foods has announced a voluntarily recall of certain romaine lettuce products because they have the potential to be contaminated with E. coli O145. The products were sold under the Freshway and Imperial Sysco brands.
The romaine lettuce products subject to the recall have a use by date of May 12 or earlier, and were sold by Freshway for food service outlets, wholesale, and in-store retail salad bars and delis. The products were sold to wholesalers and food service outlets in the following states east of the Mississippi river: 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 recalled romaine products were also sold for distribution to in-store salad bars and delis for Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets, and Marsh stores in the states listed. Click on the following link to view a copy of the FDA Recall Release.
It is important to note, however, that bulk, prepackaged romaine or bagged salad mixes containing romaine that were purchased by consumers in supermarkets are not included in this recall; Freshway Foods does not produce these products.
The recall was announced quickly after FDA informed Freshway that a previously unopened product sample in a New York state laboratory tested positive for the bacteria. Freshway immediately traced the entire lot of romaine products, and is now advising customers to immediately cease use and distribution of any affected products. According to the CDC, although the investigation is continuing, affected lettuce may be linked to outbreaks in New York, Michigan, and Ohio. As of May 5, 2010, a total of 19 confirmed and 10 probable cases have been reported in these states. Click on the following link to view the latest CDC Outbreak Report.
According to the FDA, Freshway has kept the agency and other public health authorities fully apprised of its handling of this matter, and it continues to cooperate with them to identify the cause. Notably, an extensive FDA investigation of Freshway’s facility in Sidney, Ohio has not uncovered any contamination at the plant.
In turn, Freshway Foods’ President, Phil Gilardi, stated that, although the company “practices strict food safety guidelines to ensure that its products are as safe as possible,” it promptly and voluntarily issued the immediate recall “to do everything possible to minimize any potential risk to public health."
