Health officials on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border are sounding the alarm, warning people not to eat romaine lettuce. It could be contaminated with e-coli bacteria, and that could make you very sick.
The Canadian Public Health Agency has issued the warning in this country. Porcupine Health Unit public health inspector Kaitlin McCaw outlines what the agency is saying:
“Essentially, it’s just advising the public that there is the potential for e-coli in romaine lettuce and salad mixes containing romaine lettuce and to avoid consuming those products.”
There are at least 19 cases of illness in Canada so far, with the green leafy vegetable being the suspected culprit. McCaw says there are no cases reported in our region.
She says e-coli causes gastrointestinal illness. “Generally, it’s abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea and vomiting.”
If you or someone in your family is suffering any of those symptoms, McCaw recommends that you get medical attention right away.