Tanimura & Antle romaine lettuce recalled over E. coli concerns

Tanimura & Antle Inc, is voluntarily recalling its packaged single head romaine lettuce product due to potential E. coli contamination, according to a Department of Defense All Food and Drug Activity message sent Nov. 6.

The Defense Commissary Agency has publicized this recall to all its stores, said Richard Stith, Chief, Public Health Division, DeCA headquarters at Fort Lee, Virginia. Whenever a commissary has recalled or withdrawn products in its inventory, they are immediately removed from store shelves.

The following product is affected by this recall:

• Tanimura & Antle Single-head romaine lettuce: UPC 0-27918-20314-9 with “packed on” dates of Oct. 15 or Oct. 16

No other Tanimura & Antle products or pack dates are affected by this recall and no illnesses have been reported.

Infection with E. coli O157:H7 can result in dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps two to eight days (three to four days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).

HUS can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. Symptoms of HUS may include fever, abdominal pain, pale skin tone, fatigue, unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, decreased urination and swelling. The condition can lead to kidney failure and even death.

Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

Customers should return these products to the commissary of purchase for a full refund.

Questions about this recall can be directed to the Tanimura & Antle consumer hotline at (877) 827-7388, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.