Listeria-tainted romaine lettuce recall unrelated to cantaloupes

A lettuce grower is expanding a recall of chopped romaine because of possible listeria contamination to nearly 2,500 cartons across the United States, federal and company officials say.

The recall is unrelated to the recall of tainted cantaloupes after a deadly multi-state outbreak of listeria monocytogenes, said Food and Drug Administration press officer Tamara Ward.

“There have been no illnesses,” Ward added.

True Leaf Farms has expanded its recall of 90 cartons of lettuce to cover 2,498 cartons shipped to at least 21 states and Canada.

The company recalled the produce after a random test of a single bag of lettuce by FDA officials tested positive for listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can contaminate raw food (meat, fruit and vegetables included) and may cause gastrointestinal problems, dizziness and even convulsions.

For more on reducing the risk of listeriosis (the fancy name for listeria infection), visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s information page.

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