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It has been advised at more than 6,000 restaurants and grocery stores in Massachusetts this week to stop serving or storing romaine lettuce until further notice, in response to the recent outbreak of E. Coli related to green vegetables, indicated business groups for businesses.
Bob Luz, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said the message had been delivered to about 5,500 member institutions before the peak dinner on Tuesday.
"I do not think there will be a lot of Caesar salad served at Thanksgiving," said Luz.
"The CDC, public health officials and regulatory authorities in several states, Canada and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are investigating several outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157: H7 shigatoxins (E. coli O157: H7) linked to the romaine lettuce virus, "said the federal agency on Tuesday. "CDC advises American consumers not to eat romaine lettuce and retailers and restaurants not to use or sell it, until we know more about the outbreak."
The message was delivered in the Mass., Said Luz.
"Very early [Tuesday] we sent an alert to all members including the CDC's warning recommending that all restaurants and people remove any Roman [from] their inventory, "he said.
And this does not affect only salad offerings.
"The Romaine is not only used in Caesar salads," Luz said. "It is used in mixed green salads, possibly on hamburgers. It is used in several appetizers and salads. And in the short term, these menu offers may look "slightly different" when they arrive at the table, Luz said.
At the same time, the Massachusetts Food Association, which represents hundreds of grocers across the state, also informed its members of the federal public notice in an email on Tuesday.
"Today, the FDA and CDC will announce a consumer advisory on ALL Romaine Lettuce sourced from ALL growing regions due to a persistent E. coli O157: H7 outbreak." , says the message of the food association. "They are asking retailers not to sell any romaine lettuce and consumers not to eat romaine lettuce until further notice."
Brian Houghton, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Communications, Mass. Food Association said the timing of the directive was "unfortunate" as Turkey's Day approached.
"I had to throw a bag myself," Houghton said. "All information, we just channel it."
He said that he was not sure of the financial impact on the member stores.
"Being Thanksgiving week, many people are [normally] to consume this product, "he said." It's more important than a normal week. "
According to the latest data from the CDC, among the 32 people infected with the 'epidemic strain of E. Shiga toxin-producing coli are two residents of Massachusetts. Additional information on these local cases was not immediately available.
Other cases have been reported in New Hampshire, Connecticut, California, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, the State of New York, the United States, Ohio and Wisconsin, according to the CDC.
Luz pointed out that restaurants will remain open in Massachusetts during the holiday weekend.
"It's a busy weekend," he said. "With Black Friday, there are many restaurants located in the shopping areas. It will be a busy weekend with people doing their shopping, people coming home for the holidays. . . . Thanksgiving, of course, is a wonderful weekend to eat and drink, and we think that will not change. "
The Associated Press documents were used in this report. You can contact Travis Andersen at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe.
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