CDC: Romaine lettuce is not safe to eat and should be thrown out

ATLANTA — U.S. consumers are being advised to not eat any romaine lettuce as the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention investigates an E. coli outbreak.

The advisory applies to all types of romaine lettuce, including hearts of romaine and salad mixes that use leaves of romaine lettuce. So far, the outbreak has not reached Georgia.

Many shoppers are stocking up for their holiday dinner, but they won't find lthe ettuce on the shelves.

Channel 2's Tom Regan spoke with Kroger's main office in Atlanta, which said they have pulled romaine lettuce from their stores.

"They did the right thing by pulling it off," one shopper told Regan.

Regan also spoke with a CDC epidemiologist who said that dozens have been sick and hospitalized from E-Coli.

"Because E. Coli is a serious germ and can make people really sick, we just want to be safe and not have people eat it right now," Dr. Laura Gieraltowski said.

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Lettuce growers complains the broad ranging alert has caused undue panic and will have a major impact on sales.

But the CDC says it had no choice.

"We have not been able to identify a common grower or supplier or romaine lettuce. So we really don't know where it's coming from yet."

This is the third E-coli outbreak of the year involving romaine. The CDC believes that is attributable to the rising consumption of romaine lettuce and the way it grows.

Along with grocery stores, restaurants are withdrawing romaine from the menu. The CDC says even it you ate some and didn't get sick, you should avoid eating more.

Cox Media Group