Bagged Lettuce Recalled Over E. Coli Fears

Ready Pac Foods Inc. has recalled over 5,000 bags of lettuce over concerns that the food is contaminated with E. coli. According to Ready Pac and the FDA, the contaminated products include bagged Romaine lettuce with the dates November 18, 2011 to-be-used by dates stamped on the bag. The follow states are included in the recall: Wyoming, Washington, Texas, South Dakota, Oregon, N Mexico, Nevada, Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, Hawaii, Colorado, California, Arizona and Alaska. The recall was initiated after USDA testers discovered the contamination of the product.

E. coli can cause diarrhea, but in extreme cases can develop into Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome, or a type of kidney failure that can be fatal. Most healthy adults with fully functioning immune systems will recover from E. coli contamination in about a week, but elderly adults and babies can become very ill. No illnesses have been reported yet.

Overall, the following products are included in the recall:

• 10oz. Ready Pac Caesar Romaine, UPC 0-77745-00202-6, best-use-by-date NOV 18
• 9.25oz Ready Pac Santa Fe Caesar Complete Salad, UPC 0-77745-21404-7, best-use-by-date NOV 18
• 10oz. Ready Pac Classic Caesar Complete Salad, UPC 0-77745-20566-3, best-use-by-date NOV 18
• 10oz. Ready Pac Bella Romaine, UPC 0-77745-21407-8, best-use-by-date NOV 18
• 10oz. Dining In Classic Caesar Salad Kit, UPC 0-11225-02530-3, best-use-by-date NOV 18
• 10oz. Raley's Caesar Romaine, UPC 0-46567-71642-8, best-use-by-date NOV 18
• 10oz. Trader Joe's Romaine Salad, UPC 0013-2145, best-use-by-date NOV 18
• 16oz. Trader Joe's Very American Salad, UPC 0020-7225, best-use-by-date NOV 18
• 10oz. Safeway Farms Caesar Romaine, UPC 0-21130-98350-6, best-use-by-date NOV 18
• 9oz. Safeway Farms Hearts of Romaine, UPC 0-21130-98358-2, best-use-by-date NOV 18
• 10oz. Safeway Farms Complete Caesar Supreme, UPC 0-21130-33677-7, best-use-by-date NOV 18
• 10.25oz Safeway Farms Complete Southwestern Ranch, UPC 0-21130-33679-1, best-use-by-date NOV 18