Is The E. Coli Outbreak From Romaine Lettuce Over Yet?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has given the all-clear to consumers to eat romaine lettuce after an E. coli outbreak sickened more than 100 people. The agency said in a statement that the E. coli linked to the Salinas Valley, California, growing region “appears to be over.”

On Wednesday, the CDC lifted its guidance to consumers to avoid romaine lettuce from the region, saying that all contaminated product is no longer available for sale.

The E. coli outbreak that stemmed from the romaine lettuce sickened as many as 167 people in 27 states. A total of 85people were hospitalized, with 15 people developing a type of kidney failure. The outbreak did not have any deaths reported.

According to the CDC, the E. coli bacteria strain in the 2019 outbreak was a more severe strain that induced symptoms such as diarrhea, which is often bloody, severe stomach cramps, and vomiting. The E. coli bacteria was also the same strain that was found in the 2017 leafy green outbreak and the 2018 romaine lettuce outbreak.

Despite the CDC saying the E. coli outbreak is over, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is continuing its investigation into the source of the contamination.