2 From NH Sickened In Romaine Lettuce E. Coli Outbreak

NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Two people from New Hampshire were sickened in a nationwide E. coli outbreak, health officials announced Wednesday. Thirty-two people in 11 states have been sickened in the outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No deaths have been reported.

Officials said anyone with romaine lettuce should throw it away.

“E. coli O157 bacteria can cause serious illness if consumed," New Hampshire State Epidemiologist Benjamin Chan said in a statement. "We recommend people avoid eating romaine lettuce in any for ... Contaminated foods may not look, smell, or taste different so there is no way to tell if food is contaminated."

The CDC said at least 13 people were hospitalized and one person developed a type of kidney failure. Additionally, 18 people have become ill in two Canadian provinces.

In the U.S., the E. coli cases were reported in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Wisconsin. California was the hardest-hit state, with 10 reports of illness, followed by Michigan, which had seven.

Here's what the CDC further said about the advice to throw away any type of romaine lettuce:

• "This advice includes all types or uses of romaine lettuce, such as whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine, and bags and boxes of pre-cut lettuce and salad mixes that contain romaine, including baby romaine, spring mix, and Caesar salad.
• If you do not know if the lettuce is romaine or whether a salad mix contains romaine, do not eat it and throw it away.
• Wash and sanitize drawers or shelves in refrigerators where romaine was stored. Follow these five steps to clean your refrigerator."

Restaurants and retailers should not serve or sell any romaine lettuce, including salads and salad mixes containing romaine, the CDC said.

Feroze Dhanoa, Patch National Staff, contributed to this report

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