Romaine lettuce sold at Walmart recalled for E. coli

Packages of romaine lettuce are being recalled for possible E. coli contamination, the voluntary recall affecting products distributed in 19 states and Puerto Rico, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The single-headed lettuce, sold as Tanimura and Antle in Walmart stores, was labeled with a “packaged on” date of 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020. The recall is based on a random sample collected and analyzed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as part of its routine sampling program.

“This product is unlikely to remain in retail establishments due to the shelf life of lettuce and the number of days that have passed,” the company said in a statement on the website of the FDA. However, if any of the romaine packages are still in the home, consumers are advised not to eat it.

No illness has been reported. No other product or packaging date is part of the recall.

An E. coli infection can cause stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting, usually three to four days after consumption. Most cases are mild and people recover within a week, but infection can lead to severe kidney failure or death.