The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is advising consumers not to eat Tanimura & Antle brand romaine lettuce packed as single heads due to food safety concerns.

The lettuce was sold in a zip-top clear plastic bag with a blue label and white lettering.  It has the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9 and a white sticker indicating it was packed in Salinas, CA  on October 15, 2020.

Consumers should discard this product or return it to the place of purchase. If you think you or a family member have become ill from consuming any of these products, please seek immediate medical attention.

E. coli can cause serious or life-threatening illness in some individuals. Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting.

Some people may have a fever, which usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/38.5˚C). Most people recover within 5 to 7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening. People usually get sick from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) 2 to 8 days (average of 3 to 4 days) after ingesting the bacteria. Some people with a STEC infection may get a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). E. coli infection is usually diagnosed by testing a stool sample.

It was just ten days ago that Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response, said authorities were investigating two outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157: H7 (STEC) illnesses with possible ties to past outbreaks involving romaine.

Yiannas said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not know “what food is causing people to get sick or whether it involves an FDA-regulated food product.  FDA was working the case with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with various state and local health departments.

“However, we have seen similar recurring, emerging, or persistent strains of E. coli in recent outbreaks. E. coli O157: H7 can contaminate many foods, and we cannot assume that the current outbreaks are linked to historically associated foods like romaine and other leafy greens,” Yiannas added.   There is no information currently to indicate that people should avoid any specific food.”