Romaine Lettuce Back in the Market, FDA Identifies Six California Counties Where Contamination Originated

The California counties named by FDA a the source of the contamination were Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura. Investigators were able to match illness dates with harvesting in fields in those counties. FDA does not restrict consumption romaine lettuce that has been harvested from areas outside of the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California. Harvesting has resumed in growing region near Yuma, the California desert growing region near Imperial County and Riverside County, the state of Florida, and Mexico. Also hydroponically- or greenhouse-grown lettuce is allowed back to the market. As a result many companies in the romaine lettuce supply chain resumed shipping Monday after a week-long voluntary pause. A new label is being implemented voluntarily. This label will include a harvest location and a harvest date.