CDC Warns People to Steer Clear of Romaine After E. Coli Outbreak The Center for Disease Control and Prevention told people on Friday to stay away from the lettuce after a multi-state E. coli outbreak. 53 people have been infected across 16 states, with 31 people hospitalized. No deaths have occurred yet. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. The CDC says the outbreak came from lettuce near Yuma, Arizona, warning consumers to avoid any lettuce grown in the area. Product labels often do not identify growing regions; so, throw out any romaine lettuce if you’re uncertain about where it was grown. This includes whole heads and hearts of romaine, chopped romaine, and salads and salad mixes containing romaine lettuce.