E. coli forces lettuce recall; 19 ill in 3 states

[underpants]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON — A food company is recalling lettuce sold in 23 states and the District of Columbia because of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 19 people, three of them with life-threatening symptoms.

The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that 12 people had been hospitalized and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it was looking at 10 other cases probably linked to the outbreak.

Freshway Foods of Sidney, Ohio, said it was recalling romaine lettuce sold under the Freshway and Imperial Sysco brands because of a possible link to the E. coli outbreak.

The lettuce was sold in Alabama, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hEnc00D5YgQjLxbZqLLkjOw_fwzgD9FHV0QG2

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. Arizona lettuce? As if they aren't having enough troubles...

"The FDA is focusing its investigation on lettuce grown in Arizona as a possible source for the outbreak, according to two people who have been briefed by the agency. Donna Rosenbaum, director of the food safety advocacy group Safe Tables Our Priority and one of those briefed, said the agency held a phone call with public health advocates Thursday."

[CLANG]

2. Even the lettuce is pissed off!

[annm4peace]

3. now that is funny

(I'm saying people getting sick and gravely ill is funny)

just the reference to AZ

[amyrose2712]

4. Um...freudian slip?

[madokie]

6. More like the lettuce is pissed on

:-)

[mikelgb]

7. I just watched Men in Tights last night. I love that joke.

[Maine-ah]

5. funny, I knew about this tuesday

I work at a restaurant and our corporate office emailed us to tell us to throw our lettuce out.

[cap]

8. where is this lettuce grown?

what farm or packaging plant is not following safety standards?

e. coli is a 3rd world problem due to poor sanitation

[CLANG]

9. AZ, and let's hope they'll be tossing some salad soon

[Lance_Boyle]

11. In AZ - picked and processed by illegals. n/t

[Jefferson23]

10. Perhaps due to Food Inc. n/t

[murielm99]

12. I'm not blaming the consumers, but people should wash

any produce they bring home. They should wash it thoroughly.

I've had e. coli. It is no joke. I am lucky to have functioning kidneys. I am lucky to be alive.

I am sending prayers and good wishes for all those who have fallen ill.

[Jefferson23]

13. You're right, it is no joke. Glad you made it through, small children

not so easy on them either.

[unkachuck]

14. how hard....

....can it be to keep SHIT off the lettuce?

....I don't know about you, but after I eat a fresh salad, I always enjoy "...life-threatening symptoms."

[lynne]

15. One more reason to grow your own -

- I grow my lettuce in 3 big deck pots and its more than enough for salads and sandwiches for my family of 4. The other reason is that it just taste so much better freshly grown!