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E.coli contamination worries
lead to recall of
California-grown lettuce
http://www.facebook.com/pages/California-Proud-to-Call-It-Home/421795021206489

Summary: Northern California produce
supplier Tanimura & Antle is voluntarily
recalling romaine lettuce that may be
contaminated with E. coli. The lettuce has
been shipped to 19 states as well as Puerto
Rico and Canada.


(August 21, 2012) – Fruits and vegetables are essential to a
healthy diet because they are an important source of vital
nutrients including vitamins, minerals and fiber. However, while
fresh produce was once thought to be relatively free of disease-
producing bacteria and other pathogens, serious foodborne
illnesses linked to fruits and vegetables have unfortunately
become more common.


In recent years, health departments across the US have
tracked a number of outbreaks linked to Escherichia coli
(E. coli) and Salmonella on apples, lettuce, cantaloupe and
sprouts; Listeria monocytogenes on cabbage and
cantaloupe; Shigella on parsley and lettuce; and Cyclospora
on imported raspberries.


And most recently Salinas-based produce grower Tanimura
& Antle has issued a voluntary recall of romaine lettuce
because of fears about possible E. coli contamination. The
recall is limited to a single lot of the company's Field Fresh
Wrapped Single Head Romaine which is packed in a plastic
bag with the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9.


This lettuce was made available to retail stores beginning
August 2 and it may be have a “best by” date of Aug. 19.
The lettuce is sold across California, at stores like Save Mart,
Whole Foods and Costco and it is available in 9-, 9.25-, 10-,
10.25- and 16-ounce bags under the labels Ready Pac,
Trader Joe's, Safeway and Dining in Classic.


Tanimura & Antle said some 2,095 cases of lettuce were
potentially affected by the recall, which being conducted in
consultation with US Food and Drug Administration. The
decision to issue the recall is based on findings following
testing of a random sample by the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency.


Of these 2,095 cases of lettuce, 1,969 cases were shipped to
Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Georgia, Kansas,
Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada,
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington as well as Puerto
Rico.


While far there have been no reported illnesses associated
with consumption of this romaine lettuce in any of these
states, it is very important that consumers check any
romaine lettuce purchased on or after August 2 for the UPC
number 0-27918-20314-9 and discard any items with this
number, or return it to the place of purchase.


More information about the possible causes of E. coli contamination
in lettuce and other produce, as well as steps consumers can take to
protect themselves from becoming ill from tainted fruits and
vegetables can be found at
http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/ecoli/


In addition to the government's Food Safety site, a number of other
websites are helping raise awareness about Tanimura & Antle's voluntary
recall of its romaine lettuce. Among these is
http://www.facebook.com/pages/California-Proud-to-Call-It-
Home/42179502120648 , a Facebook fanpage that offers an online
community where people can share their thoughts and comments about
the latest California news and events.


"We feel it is very important to get the news out about the
possible dangers consumers face from E.coli-contaminated
produce," notes page administrator S.S. Ober-Lehn. "And
Facebook's international appeal makes the California Proud
to Call It Home fanpage a natural place for anyone who is
concerned about this situation to come together to discuss
the recall and help spread awareness about it."


To find out more about current news and events
in California, please visit

http://www.facebook.com/pages/California-Proud-to-Call-It-
Home/42179502120648

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