Nov. 30 update:

A romaine lettuce consumer advisory issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Nov. 20 has ended. Specific counties in California (Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Ventura) were identified as areas in which romaine contaminated with E. coli was grown.

Seward Co-op tracks origin and harvest date of romaine lettuce, and of all products containing romaine lettuce, to the best of our ability. On produce shelves, look to the product sign for harvest date of romaine lettuce. On the salad bar, look to the product sign for harvest date of romaine lettuce on the salad bar.

Nov. 20 recall:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised U.S. consumers not to eat any romaine lettuce, and that retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until it learns more about an outbreak of E. coli infections linked to romaine lettuce. Out of an abundance of caution, Seward Co-op removed all romaine lettuce products from our store shelves and salad bars on Nov. 20.

Thirty-two people infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from 11 states. The Public Health Agency of Canada has identified 18 ill people infected with the same DNA fingerprint of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria in two Canadian provinces. The CDC’s investigation is ongoing and their advice will be updated as more information is available.

Romaine lettuce and products containing romaine lettuce have been removed from Seward Co-op shelves, including all types of romaine lettuce, such as whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine, bags, boxes, precut lettuce, and salad mixes that contain romaine (baby romaine, spring mix and Caesar salad). Items made and packaged at Seward Co-op containing romaine lettuce have also been removed from both stores.

Grab & Go packaged items recalled include:
Chicken Caesar Salad
Cobb Salad
Greek Salad
Ham & Swiss Sandwich
Home-Style Chicken Salad Sandwich
Italian Focaccia Sandwich
Roast Turkey Sandwich
Tantalizing Turkey & Pesto Sandwich
Tempeh Lettuce & Tomato Sandwich
Walnut Basil Tuna Sandwich

Produce items recalled include:
LETTUCE, ROMAINE LOC OG EACH
LETTUCE, ROMAINE OG EACH
EARTHBOUND ROMAINE HEARTS OG 12 OZ
EARTHBOUND ROMAINE, BABY OG 5 OZ
JOSIES ROMAINE HEARTS OG
TAYLOR ROMAINE HEARTS OG 18 OZ
TAYLOR ROMAINE, BABY OG
URBAN ORGANICS JUST ROMAINE OG 5 OZ
URBAN ORGANICS ROSE BLEND OG 5 OZ
EARTHBOUND SALAD, HERB OG 5 OZ
URBAN ORGANICS RIVER CITY MIX OG 5 OZ
TAYLOR CHOPPED SALAD, TOAST SESAME OG 12.8 Oz
TAYLOR CHOPPED SALAD, ASIAN GINGER OG 12.8 Oz
URBAN ORGANICS CLASSIC DUO OG 5 OZ
URBAN ORGANICS SPRING MIX OG 5 OZ
EARTHBOUND SPRING MIX, CLAM SHELL 16 OZ
EARTHBOUND HALF & HALF SALAD CLAM OG
EARTHBOUND SALAD KIT, CAESAR OG 11 OZ

If you purchased these or other products containing romaine lettuce at Seward Co-op, they will be fully refunded at either our Franklin or Friendship store Customer Service desks.