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Grower-Shipper Association of Central California Statement on E.coli Outbreak Linked to Romaine Lettuce

November 20, 2018

This outbreak is tragic and devastating for the people who are suffering from this foodborne illness. On behalf of the farmers and farming companies we represent, we cannot express how truly sorry we are to those who have been sickened.  And we must also apologize to all consumers who enjoy romaine lettuce in their diets but whose confidence in this product has been shaken.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), this outbreak is associated with romaine lettuce and they are advising consumers not to eat any romaine products.  No other leafy greens products are involved in this outbreak.

However, if you do not know if the lettuce is romaine or if a salad mix contains romaine, FDA and CDC advise you not to consume it.  Thirty-two illnesses have been confirmed in 11 states in the U.S.  Eighteen illnesses have also been confirmed in Canada. Consumers can visit www.fda.gov to learn more.

Our retail and foodservice partners are removing romaine products from stores shelves and restaurants immediately as advised by CDC and FDA.  Farmers and farming companies are working diligently to voluntarily withdraw romaine products before they enter commerce.

Our organization as well as the farmers and farming companies we represent are committed to working with the CDC and FDA to learn more about this outbreak.  Food safety experts from the produce industry are joining FDA and CDC in examining information that may help pinpoint the specific source of the outbreak as well as determine the potential root cause.

While farmers and farming companies have taken steps to implement FDA's recent on-farm recommendations to enhance leafy greens food safety standards and protect public health, it is clear we must continue to do more.  We must do better and redouble efforts to determine how and why this is happening so consumers can eat our products again with confidence.

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