CDC: Romaine lettuce linked to E. coli outbreak

ATLANTA - Atlanta's Center for Disease Control and Prevention has sent out a warning about consuming romaine lettuce before the Thanksgiving holiday.

In a press release Tuesday, the CDC said that they are advising consumers, restaurants, and retailers to not "eat, serve, or sell any romaine lettuce," pointing to an investigation into an E. coli outbreak.

According to officials, 32 people in 11 states have reported illness due to the E. coli outbreak. Of those, 13 people have been hospitalized and one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is a type of kidney failure. No deaths have so far been reported.

The investigation into the illnesses, which all started on dates between Oct. 8 and Oct. 31, indicates that romaine lettuce is likely the outbreak's source.

The CDC says the strain has the same DNA fingerprint as a previous outbreak last year which was linked to leafy greens in the U.S. and lettuce in Canada.

Officials now say you should throw all types or uses of romaine lettuce away immediately.

If you think you've gotten ill from eating lettuce, please talk to your doctor as soon as possible.