Romaine Lettuce Scare

Week of Monday 11/19/18

This week the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have cautioned people not to eat romaine lettuce while they investigate an outbreak of E.coli contamination. E.coli is an intestinal bacteria that resides in animals, including humans. Ever wonder how a public health department determines if a swimming area has been contaminated to the point of being unsafe? They test the water for E.coli count. The scary part is that there is an acceptable level of bacteria that gets ignored. It seems that everything is fine and good until fecal matter gets on your lettuce.

The current outbreak has made 32 people sick in 11 states and Canada. As of Wednesday November 26, it was thought that California may be the source of romaine lettuce blamed for outbreak of E. coli infections. Interestingly, the genetic fingerprint left behind by the E.coli bacteria is being used to back track and identify its original source. This procedure was used last spring to identify E. coli linked to romaine lettuce from Yuma, Arizona. That outbreak killed five people and made 210 sick in 36 states. It was eventually traced to contaminated canal water.

Last week FDA Administration Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said his agency didn't have enough information to request suppliers issue a recall until particulars of the contamination could be identified. They did request a voluntary recall, asking supermarkets and restaurants to withdraw romaine products. In a late breaking Fox News report on Monday November 26, 2018, Dr. Gottlieb revealed that the contaminated romaine came from coastal areas of Central and Northern California. This alert should provide sufficient evidence that purchasing food from known organic sources, at least when seasonally available, is wise.

Contaminated food is a common problem. The CDC estimates that germ infected food makes 48 million Americans sick every year. 128,000 are made sick enough to be hospitalized, and 3,000 die. To provide a sense of perspective 40,200 people died in accidents involving motor vehicles in 2016.

Wayne Coolidge Jr., M.Ed., CHES is a scholar-practitioner, author, and speaker. He owns Healthy Dynamic Living, an innovative health promotion consulting firm.