Nolon Carter - 12
12/3/2018
Romaine lettuce is again safe to eat, when purchased from the correct region! The recent romaine lettuce recall has left the district unable to make Caesar salads. While the kitchen has adapted to alternatives, I wanted to know more.
According to a recent Washington Post article, leafy greens are very commonly a part of outbreaks. This one in particular involves E. Coli. E. Coli produces a toxin that, left untreated, can cause kidney failure.
So why are these diseases so easily passed through lettuce? Many times, lack of proper food handling goes unnoticed. When food is cooked, the bacteria are killed.
Lettuce and many other greens are not commonly cooked. Forty-two percent of E. Coli infections are traced back to vegetables. The more people touch your lettuce before you get it, the more likely it is to be covered in bacteria.
The CDC found that this specific breakout originated in northern and central California in the central coastal growing region. Lettuce outside these regions is safe to eat.The FDA has shut down California's romaine industry for the year, as their growing season is almost over.
The school plans on using romaine from Arizona for the rest of the year. Outside of school, please wash your food and pay attention to food recalls. If you feel sick, see a doctor.