That contaminated romaine lettuce we’ve been told to toss out probably came from around here, according to FDA investigators. They say they have narrowed the harvest area of the tainted lettuce to the following six California counties: Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Ventura.
Romaine lettuce harvested outside of these six counties is not linked to the outbreak. It was first reported on Nov. 20.
The Monterey County Ag Commissioner had earlier predicted the tainted lettuce likely originated in his county.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends if you do not know where your romaine lettuce was harvested, do not eat it and throw it away. Soon Romaine lettuce products will be labeled with a harvest location by region. But it may take time before consumers see the new labels.
The FDA says that if the Romaine is not labeled with a harvest growing region, do not buy, serve, sell, or eat it.
