Romaine lettuce under the Tanimura & Antle brand recalled due to E. Coli

The Ministry of Health says that the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has advised via their website (www.fda.gov/safety/recalls) that “Tanimura & Antle Inc. is voluntarily recalling its packaged single head romaine lettuce under the Tanimura & Antle brand, labeled with a packed on date of 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020, due to possible contamination with E. Coli 0157:H7”.

 In a release issued this evening the Health Ministry issued the following information:

1. Coli 0157:H7 may cause a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. As such, if persons are experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, fever, abdominal pain or bloody stools after consumption of this product, please contact or visit your nearest health institution, immediately.

This recall is based on the test result of a random sample collected and analysed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as part of their routine sampling program. The public is advised not to consume any of the recalled romaine lettuce.

Consumers should look for a label that indicates the brand of the romaine lettuce. It may be printed on the package or on a sticker. The following actions are strongly recommended:

• If the label says “Tanimura & Antle”, and there is,a packed on date of 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020, don’t eat the lettuce and discard/return to the place of purchase.
• If the package isn’t labelled, don’t eat the lettuce and discard/ return to the place of purchase.
• If you don’t know if the lettuce is romaine or whether a salad mix or wrap contains romaine, don’t eat the lettuce and discard/ return to the place of purchase.
• Wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in refrigerators where romaine lettuce was stored.

Until clearance is provided by the Ministry of Health, supermarkets, restaurants and wholesalers should not offer for sale, in any form (e.g. in salads mixes), romaine lettuce from the Tanimura & Antle brand, that has a packed on date of 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020.

Although there are no reported cases in Trinidad and Tobago of persons consuming romaine lettuce and becoming ill, it is out of an abundance of caution that the Health Ministry issued the advisory to protect the health of consumers.

The Ministry said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide further advice to the public as and when necessary.

For further information and clarification, please contact the Chemistry Food and Drugs Division – Ministry of Health at 868-623-5242/ 623-CFDD or email at [email protected].