October 11, 2006
The California lettuce grower that voluntarily recalled its product earlier this week over E. coli fears now says tests show the lettuce is safe to eat.
The Nunes Co. of Salinas, California, says none of its product tested positive for the E. coli strain that has killed three people and make nearly 200 others sick.
"We are relieved that all results were negative, and we are confident our product is safe," company President Tom Nunes said in a statement.
Nunes recalled more than 8,000 crates of its green leaf lettuce when routine tests indicated irrigation water might have been contaminated with the E. coli bacteria.
While the initial tests indicated the presence of E. coli in the water, it was not clear whether it was the generic, harmless type or the virulent strain that contaminated some spinach in the same area. A private testing lab determined the organism was of the harmless variety.
The company said federal inspectors were on the scene this week and are conducting their own tests.
