CDC: Romaine Lettuce Not Safe in US Federal health officials are cautioning people not to eat any romaine lettuce due an E. coli outbreak. At least 32 people are sick, and 13 hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Consumers who have any type of romaine lettuce in their home should not eat it and should throw it away, even if some of it was eaten and no one has gotten sick.” This is the second outbreak of E. coli in romaine lettuce in 2018. The outbreak hit in the spring, killing 5 people and sickening 210 people across 36 states. E. Coli is a common bacteria but the strain currently contaminating lettuce is called 0157:57. This strain in particular produces a toxin that can damage the kidneys and potentially cause a deadly condition called hemolytic uremia syndrome. The FDA is instructing all consumers to throw away mixed all lettuce and salad bags.