Red and green romaine lettuce is a favorite in salads. Image from Flickr.

Freshway Foods, based in Ohio, has instituted a romaine lettuce recall 2010. In all, 19 cases of E Coli have been confirmed in connection to the romaine lettuce recall. If you have possibly been sickened by the Freshway Foods lettuce recall, you may need money now to go see a doctor – though most cases are not severe.

Romaine lettuce recall 2010 affects shredded romaine

The romaine lettuce recall 2010 announced yesterday evening includes only shredded romaine lettuce. Any Freshway Foods shredded romaine with a “use by” date after May 12 should be thrown out. Additionally, grab-and-go salads from in-store salad bars at Kroger, Giant Eagle, Ingles Markets and Marsh stores should not be eaten. Other suppliers of romaine lettuce and other fresh greens are not included in the lettuce recall. It appears the recalled lettuce was grown in Arizona and shipped to wholesalers across the country.

Calls for stronger food safety after romaine lettuce recall 2010

The romaine lettuce recall 2010 has once again raised calls for stronger food-safety regulation. Last year, the House passed a bill that gave the FDA stronger food-regulation powers, but the Senate has yet to vote on the bill. E. Coli infections are usually found in undercooked meat, but because lettuce and other greens are not usually cooked, there is no way for the infection to be killed. Thorough washing and proper storage help minimize the risk.

Why stronger regulations may hurt, even with lettuce recall

The lettuce recall, like spinach and fresh greens recalls before it, has raised questions of food safety. Though many often call for “stronger regulation” to “protect food safety” after lettuce recalls, there is an argument against this stronger regulation. This lettuce recall originated with a large grower who grows hundreds of thousands of acres of lettuce and ships it across the country. Stronger regulation on food tends to favor mega-food companies who can afford the new inspections, equipment or processes required. Small growers, who are not usually at fault for issues like the lettuce recall, are usually pushed out of business. Stronger across-the-board regulation, unless written carefully, tends to make the problem worse by pushing out small growers.

What to do about the romaine lettuce recall 2010

If you think the lettuce recall affects you, then contact your local health department. Do not eat the products implicated in the lettuce recall. Thoroughly wash and properly store all greens. The good news is that the lettuce recall affects a relatively small percentage of the lettuce available in the United States – and no other greens or growers have been shown to be unsafe in this lettuce recall. If you are concerned about possibly eating romaine lettuce recall 2010 lettuce, give mescalun greens a try — or iceburg, or spinach, or raddicio or even rocket lettuce.

Sources:

The Associated Press
FDA.gov

Image by flickr

The Center for Disease Control has issued warnings for people on the Eastern seaboard to watch out for a large shipment of recalled beef, as up to over a half a million pounds of ground beef have been found to be contaminated with E. coli.  The infected beef was produced and shipped by Fairbanks Farms, of Ashville, New York.  The company has issued a recall of almost 546,000 pounds of fresh ground beef; a recall this large costs more than a personal loan or two.

Up to 28 people may have been made ill

As of today, up to 28 people may have been sickened from eating said contaminated beef.  16 have been hospitalized and so far, 2 have died.  Both fatalities had underlying conditions and complications which were instrumental in their passing.  18 of the suspected infections are in New England, and all but 3 are in the Northeast.  The beef was distributed in Maryland, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.  It was sold in Trader Joe’s, Lancaster, Wild Harvest, Shaw’s, BJ’s, Ford Brothers and Giant stores.  Consumers living in the Northeast are cautioned to find any packages bearing the label “EST. 492.” It won’t be sold as fresh any more, as the expiration dates were listed as at the end of September.  Here is a link to a  full list of products that contained the contaminated product.

E. Coli is a nasty bug – a paradoxical bacteria

E. Coli, or under the full title, Escherichia coli, is a common bacteria, and it’s one you already have – it’s kind of necessary.  It’s one of the bacteria that lives in the human digestive tract, and you probably wouldn’t survive long without it.  However, the strain that is endemic to humans isn’t the one endemic to cows.  The bovine strain is toxic to humans, and uncooked or contaminated beef can cause havoc.  The most common form that people get sick from is O157:H7 E. Coli (from Wikipedia) called the “hamburger” bacteria, as that’s the common source of infection.  It can cause anything from gastroenteritis (the “stomach flu”) to bloody diarrhea, in severe cases, kidney failure and in 2 to 7% of cases, haemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney failure.  The very young, very old, and the immune-compromised are more susceptible to this complication – as they are more susceptible to other diseases like influenza. E.coli can be acquired from meat, unpasteurized milk, swimming in contaminated water, or eating contaminated uncooked vegetables  (it gets into the environment from the business end of a cow).

Typically, it resolves itself within a few days for most people.  However, there are about 2,000 people hospitalized with it annually, and HUS complications from E.coli infections are responsible for about 60 deaths per year.

Those living in NE might want to check their freezer

People living in New England might be susceptible, so it’s suggested you check your freezer if you think you’re at risk.  A hospital stay will cost you more than a cash advance worth, that’s for sure.