Tainted Romaine Farm Recalls Cauliflower Now, Too

Last month, the CDC warned consumers not to eat any romaine lettuce, due to a large outbreak of E. coli contamination. Now, Adams Bros Farming Inc, a huge farm in California, is recalling more products that may have been contaminated in the same way.

The initial romaine contamination has been linked to 59 illnesses, including 23 hospitalizations. An investigation by the FDA found that there’s one specific strain of E. coli involved here—it’s called O157:H7—and after over a month of DNA testing and tracing, the FDA finally found that same strain of E. coli in a reservoir at Adams Bros Farming Inc. The initial contaminated romaine, for timing’s sake, was harvested from November 27th to November 30th.

Because other products may have come in contact with the contaminated reservoir water, Adams Bros sent out a press release that the company is recalling a few other products: cauliflower, red leaf lettuce, and green leaf lettuce. “Adam Bros. Farming, Inc. feels a strong commitment to its customers and has worked for years to provide a safe and healthy food supply. Out of an abundance of caution, Adam Bros. Farming, Inc. is initiating this voluntary recall in cooperation with the FDA,” reads the release. The company notes that no illnesses have been reported from consumption of these products at this time.

But it’s also worth noting that the FDA has not definitively decided that Adams Bros is the sole party responsible for this particular outbreak. From the FDA’s updated page on the topic: “We advise avoiding romaine from Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Barbara counties in California.”

You might be wondering why greens like romaine seem to constantly be at risk of pathogen contamination. A couple of years ago, we conducted an interview with Michael Doyle, director of the University of Georgia’s Center for Food Safety, to find out more about how pathogens are literally sealed into certain products. Check it out! And in the meantime, be careful what you eat.