Hawaii romaine safe from E. coli outbreak

Consumers don’t need to avoid eating Hawaii-grown romaine lettuce, the state Department of Agriculture said Tuesday, confirming that lettuce grown locally is not part of a nationwide E. coli outbreak.

Investigations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have linked the outbreak to romaine lettuce grown in certain areas of California.

“In fact, purchasing local produce at this time would help to strengthen Hawaii’s food security,” said Scott Enright, chairman of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture, in a news release. “This most recent contamination outbreak underscores the importance of all industry members throughout the supply chain to follow a labeling program for their produce.

“Produce labeled with grower information and harvest date will help communicate to consumers that produce being re-introduced into retail and food service markets is safe to consume.”

The Agriculture Department is also reminding consumers to wash all produce before eating, no matter its origin.