As the holidays draw near, food safety concerns continue to emerge. Numerous salad kits are now being recalled due to E. coli bacteria contamination. These salad recalls fall on the heels of a massive romaine lettuce recall that investigators believe is the cause of the multi-state E. coli outbreak that caused at least 100 illnesses.
Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a link between the salad recalls and the romaine lettuce from Salinas, California. So far, however, investigators have not determined which ingredient in the salad kits are the cause of the new E. coli outbreak.
Fresh Express Salad Kits Linked to E. Coli Outbreak
According to the CDC, Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp salad kits are the “likely source” of E. coli contamination causing a second outbreak. This outbreak is separate from the outbreak directly linked to the Salinas, California romaine lettuce. However, the CDC notes that the lettuce in these salad kits may also have been harvested in the Salinas area.
So far, eight people in the Midwestern United States have become ill, and at least 16 people in Canada. In the U.S., three people have been hospitalized and one person has developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is a type of kidney failure that requires immediate medical treatment.
Information for Consumers
The CDC is urging consumers who purchase Fresh Express salad kits to check their items for the following:
- Best-before date of December 7, 2019
- UPC – 071279309064
- Lot code – Z (in the top right corner of the package)
If you have any of these recalled products, do not consume them. Throw them away or return them to your place of purchase.
Symptoms of E. Coli Infection
The strain of E. coli bacteria in the salad and romaine lettuce recalls is O157:H7. This strain is a Shiga toxin-producing strain, which can cause severe illness. The symptoms of E. coli infection include:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (possibly bloody)
- Fever less than 101 degrees
These symptoms generally last around three days, but serious infections can last longer. Patients infected with E. coli bacteria are also at risk of HUS, which is a serious medical condition. HUS can cause kidney failure and other problems. Without proper treatment, it can cause permanent damage or death.
Questions about the E. Coli Outbreak?
If you have questions about the E. coli outbreak and your health, contact your healthcare provider. You should definitely seek medical guidance if you have consumed romaine lettuce or Fresh Express salads recently.
If you have questions about the E. coli outbreak and your legal rights as a consumer, you can contact Bad Food Recall for more information. We are a legal resource for consumers to help you protect your rights. You can contact us by calling 1-877-534-5750, or by completing our online contact form.
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