Sobeys pulls romaine lettuce off shelves amid E. coli outbreak

Though a mandatory recall has not been issued, grocery chain says it's erring on the side of caution

The Canadian Press

1/3/2018

The Sobeys grocery chain has pulled romaine lettuce products from its shelves out of "an abundance of caution" about E. coli contamination.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has advised people in eastern Canada to consider avoiding romaine lettuce because of an E. coli outbreak that has been linked to one death and 40 illnesses.

READ: E. coli outbreak from lettuce brings traceability issues to light: Expert

Cases have been detected in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

There has been no mandatory recall, but Sobeys said it temporarily halted sales of more than 300 romaine lettuce products at locations across the country as a precaution while public health officials investigate.

Sobeys Inc. has 1,500 stores in all 10 provinces under retail banners that include Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Price Chopper, Thrifty Foods and Lawtons Drugs.

The Nova Scotia-based company said it was following the situation closely and would take action to protect the health of its customers.

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