The California Department of Public Health has published the retail distribution list for romaine lettuce being reccalled by Tanimura & Antle. The lettuce, which was recalled August 20 for possible contamination with E.coli 0157:H7 , was distributed to Wal-Mart, Safeway, Pak N Save and The Market stores throughout California.
The recalled lettuce was sold in plastic packages labeled “Tanimura & Antle Field Fresh Wrapped Single Head Romaine.” The packages had the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9 and some had “Best Buy” dates of “08 19 12”.
A total of 2,095 cases of the potentially contaminated lettuce were distributed in the US and Canada between August 2. and August 19. Of those, 1,969 cases were shipped to the following states: AL, AR, AZ, CA, GA, KS, KY, MD, NC, NM, NV, NY, NJ, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA and Puerto Rico. The product was packed in cases holding 12 or 18 heads of lettuce. Each case bears a traceability code of 5417802151.
Consumers who purchased this product should not eat it. No illnesses have been reported in association with this recall. But E.coli can cause illness which can be serious or life-threatening. Symptoms of an E.coli infection include bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In soem cases, a complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), can develop HUS most often strikes young children and the elderly and can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.
The recall originated from testing of a single random sample by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and is being conducted in consultation with U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
