Yes, romaine lettuce is safe to eat.
What are farmers doing to make romaine safe?
In 2007, California leafy greens growers made a commitment to public health by creating the California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement (LGMA). In 2011, Arizona growers joined the LGMA. The program focuses on food safety to help reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Participating growers implement extensive, science-based food safety practices that are verified through regular government audits conducted by trained state agriculture department inspectors.
Growers participating in the LGMA food safety program are visited regularly by government auditors who verify that farms are following nearly 500 different food safety checkpoints. These food safety practices are continually updated as more information about how to safely grow lettuce becomes available.
On the occasion when romaine lettuce has been involved in a foodborne illness outbreak, government agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) quickly notify the public and provide information on what lettuce is safe to eat.
What does it mean when there is a ‘recall’ on romaine lettuce?
You may notice from time to time you hear of a romaine lettuce recall. A romaine recall occurs when there is concern or knowledge that the product is violative, meaning it is believed to be adulterated or contaminated. It is important to know that the majority of produce recalls are unrelated to food safety issues. Most have to do with mislabeling or specific company quality standards. However, in some cases recalls are in response to a foodborne illness outbreak.
What should I do when there is an outbreak involving romaine?
In the unfortunate event of an outbreak, individual companies and public health agencies work together to identify the specific food, brand, lot number, or date of production in order to remove that product from the market. When outbreaks do occur involving romaine lettuce, romaine outside the identified source is safe to eat. However, if a source cannot be narrowed down to a specific company, lot number, or date of production, all of the product will be pulled from the market out of an abundance of caution. This is exactly why with romaine lettuce the CDC has, on occasion, had to issue what they call a consumer advisory warning people not to consume any romaine for a period of time.
How would I know if my specific romaine is affected?
If there is an active recall or outbreak advisory involving romaine lettuce, the FDA and CDC will post specific information on their websites identifying the affected product. This typically includes the brand name, lot number, UPC code, harvest date, and growing region – all of which can be found on the packaging label.
To check whether a specific product is affected:
- Visit the FDA’s recall database
- Visit the CDC’s active outbreak page
If your product matches the information listed in an advisory, do not eat it. When in doubt, throw it out.
If no specific product information has been identified yet, public health agencies will say so clearly, and guidance will be updated as the investigation progresses.
