Don’t eat romaine lettuce, health agency warns public in Ontario and Quebec

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      The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued a warning against eating romaine lettuce.

      Lettuce has been linked to an E. coli outbreak in Ontario and Quebec.

      The warning does not cover other areas in the country like B.C.

      “Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that residents in other parts of Canada are affected by this outbreak,” the agency said in a public health notice Tuesday (November 20).

      As of that day, there have 18 confirmed cases of E. coli illness investigated. Three were in Ontario, and 15 in Quebec.

      “Individuals became sick between mid-October and early November 2018,” the agency stated. “Six individuals have been hospitalized, and one individual suffered from hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a severe complication that can result from an E. coli infection.”

      The agency explained that E. coli are bacteria found in the intestines of animals like cattle and poultry.

      “A common source of E. coli illness is raw fruits and vegetables that have come in contact with feces from infected animals,” the agency noted. “Leafy greens, such as lettuce, can become contaminated in the field by soil, water, animals or improperly composted manure.”

      It added that lettuce can also be contaminated during and after harvest.

      “Contamination in lettuce is also possible at the grocery store, in the refrigerator, or from counters and cutting boards through cross-contamination with harmful bacteria from raw meat, poultry or seafood,” according to the agency. “Most E. coli strains are harmless to humans, but some varieties cause illness.”

      The agency suggests washing unpackaged lettuce in cool running water. 

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