E. coli reported in Wisconsin

Recent outbreak tied to romaine lettuce that was grown in Yuma, Ariz.

is now on the list of states hit by a romaine lettuce E. coli illness outbreak, with one case reported here, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

Details weren’t immediately avail- able, but the CDC said it now has reports of 98 cases in 22 states.

The outbreak is blamed on E. coli bacteria in romaine lettuce grown in Yuma, Ariz.

Health officials say the bacteria strain behind the outbreak tends to cause more serious illnesses, and that 46 people have been hospitalized, including 10 with kidney failure. No deaths have been reported. Health officials say people shouldn’t eat romaine lettuce unless they know it’s not from Yuma. Every winter, that area of Arizona provides most of the romaine lettuce sold in the U.S.

In Wisconsin, some restaurants have posted signs saying they are temporarily not serving romaine lettuce.

In the Milwaukee area, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Fox Brothers Piggly Wiggly and Outpost Natural Foods say their romaine lettuce isn’t from the Yuma region.

“Roundy’s is not affected by this outbreak,” said James Hyland, vice president of investor relations and corporate communications.

That’s also true for Fox Piggly Wiggly, said Pat Fox, president of that grocery chain.

“Our supplier, Piggly Wiggly Midwest, has told us that the product they source is not from Yuma,” Fox said.

“But if any consumer has any concern about it whatsoever and wants to bring back their purchase, we will gladly take it back and refund their money,” he added.

Outpost said in a statement on Facebook that its romaine lettuce is grown in California and is not part of the recall.