Where Does Our Romaine Lettuce Come From?

The bulk of the romaine sold in the United States comes from just two growing areas:

the Salinas Valley of California

(harvested in late spring, summer and fall) and the Yuma, Ariz., growing region that includes the Imperial and Coachella valleys of Southern California (winter and early spring).

Where does most romaine lettuce come from?

Although contamination of marketplace product is rare, from 2010 to 2013, three outbreaks totaling more than 700 illnesses were associated with romaine lettuce. The majority of romaine produced and consumed in the U.S. currently comes from

California and Arizona

.

Is romaine lettuce from Rome?

Origin and etymology

It apparently reached

Western Europe via Rome

, as it is called lattuga romana in Italian and laitue romaine in French, both meaning “Roman lettuce” – hence the name “romain”, the common term in North America.

Why should you not eat romaine lettuce?

Federal health and regulatory officials warned consumers Friday not to eat romaine lettuce of any kind harvested from the Salinas Valley, one of California’s major agricultural regions, because

it may be contaminated with a particularly dangerous type of E. coli bacteria that has sickened 40 people in 16 states

.

Where is lettuce manufactured?

Lettuce is produce year round in the U.S. Although lettuce is produced in many states,

California and Arizona

dominate U.S. production. California accounted for 71 percent of U.S. head lettuce production in 2013, followed by Arizona producing nearly 29 percent.

What’s the safest lettuce to eat?

Romaine Lettuce

is nutritious and has several health benefits. If purchased from a reliable place and cleaned thoroughly before eating, romaine lettuce is safe to eat.

Why is it always romaine lettuce that gets recalled?

Unlike the E. coli strains that actually benefit your gut health, the O157:H7 strain is a known foodborne pathogen that commonly causes national outbreaks. When romaine comes into contact with O157,

it passes infection to humans and animals

. Ultimately, the strain’s origins can be difficult to track.

What is better iceberg lettuce or romaine?

Cos or romaine lettuce

has a better nutritional profile than iceberg lettuce. Even though romaine lettuce still contains a significant amount of water at nearly 95%, the amounts of fiber, vitamins, and minerals are higher.

What type of romaine lettuce is sold in stores?

Grocery stores sell all varieties as simply

romaine lettuce

.

What are the benefits of romaine lettuce?

Although it’s low in fiber, it’s high in minerals, such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and potassium. It’s naturally low in sodium. Plus, romaine lettuce is packed with

vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate

. It’s a good source of beta carotene, which converts into vitamin A in the body.

Is there a recall on romaine lettuce 2020?

On November 6, 2020,

Tanimura & Antle, Inc. recalled single head romaine lettuce

under the Tanimura & Antle brand, labeled with a packed on date of 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020, due to possible contamination with E. Coli O157:H7. Packages contain a single head of romaine lettuce with the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9.

What is wrong with lettuce right now?

Lettuce recalls have happened several times over the past few years. In 2019, an

E. coli outbreak

tied to romaine lettuce spread to at least 23 states in November, leading the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to specifically warn families against serving lettuce on Thanksgiving.

Is romaine from Salinas Safe 2020?

According to the FDA, Tanimura & Antle Inc. on Nov. 6, 2020, voluntarily recalled its packaged single head romaine lettuce labeled with a packed on date of 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020 due to

possible contamination

. Packages contain a single head of romaine lettuce with the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9.

Is cabbage healthier than lettuce?

Both cabbage and iceberg lettuce are good sources of nutrients. However,

cabbage contains significantly more vitamins and minerals than

iceberg lettuce, including vitamins C and K, folate, and potassium ( 1 , 2 ). In particular, green cabbage is packed with antioxidants, including polyphenol compounds and vitamin C.

Who is the largest producer of lettuce?

Although

China

is the top world producer of lettuce, the majority of the crop is consumed domestically. Spain is the world’s largest exporter of lettuce, with the US ranking second. Western Europe and North America were the original major markets for large-scale lettuce production.

Who grows the most lettuce in the world?