Source in the Romaine Lettuce E Coli Outbreak Identified

Ever since the big outbreak earlier this year, I've been wondering when it would be safe to eat romaine lettuce again.

Don't get me wrong I love a good burger and or steak as much as the next person, but sometimes a salad can be nice too. And romaine just happens to be my favorite type of lettuce.

Iceberg is alright, baby spinach in fine when mixed with others, and I just can't do the whole spring mix. I find it to be too bitter tasting. So this whole E. Coli outbreak has really been cramping my salad style.

As I look through all the local grocery store sales flyers and see hearts of romaine on sale, I was left to wonder: Will it ever be safe to eat romaine again?

After browsing the internet, I seem to have found the answer I was hoping for! Yes, it is ok to start eating romaine lettuce again.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a press statement on July 12th stating that the multi-state outbreak that started in April of this year seems to have ended on June 28th.

Nice of them to tell us now. I've been craving a good Ceaser salad and you can't have one without romaine.

According to several online sources, the source for the E Coli outbreak has been located. It turns out the "largest outbreak in the nation since 2006" appears to be over.

This source has been detected in canal waters found in the Yuma, AZ growing region. This growing region is one of the largest wintertime lettuce growing regions in the country.

The outbreak was first detected in early April, but not reported to the FDA til May 2nd. The day it was reported to the FDA just happened to be two weeks after the final day for romaine lettuce harvesting.

Because of all this, the FDA is saying that none of this lettuce "should no longer be available". That's because shelf life on this product is only 21 days.

This outbreak has claimed the lives of five throughout the country. Forcing 96 to be hospitalized, including 27 who have developed kidney failure.

Also through March 13 and June 6th, 210 people from 36 states had become infected with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli or STEC.

Thankfully all that seems to be over and both the CDC and FDA say they will continue to monitor the water in Yuma as to determine how the bacteria had entered the stream.

I'm just glad someone finally said it was okay to eat romaine again!