Romaine lettuce blamed for E. coli outbreak

ST. LOUIS (AP) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that romaine lettuce from a single farm is likely to blame for an E. coli outbreak in Missouri and nine other states.

All told, 60 people got sick in the outbreak that began in October and ended in November. No one died, but at least 30 were hospitalized and two developed severe kidney disease. Thirty-seven of the illnesses were in Missouri. Illinois had the second-most reported illnesses with nine.

St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets Inc. confirmed that is the chain where some of the lettuce was sold in salad bars. However, the CDC says the lettuce was contaminated prior to distribution to Schnucks. The CDC did not name the supplier.

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