Romaine lettuce is OK to eat unless it was grown in the Central Coast region of California, federal agencies say

Romaine lettuce (Photo from Getty Images)

After urging Americans not to eat any romaine lettuce, two federal agencies have limited their warning to lettuce grown in the Central Coast region of California.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration say romaine  grown elsewhere, or in greenhouses or hydroponically, has not been linked to the outbreak of E.coli bacterial infections.

The agencies advise consumers to check labels or store signs for the source of any romaine lettuce, and if you have already purchased romaine (or any lettuce mix containing it) and aren't sure where it was grown, throw it out and thoroughly clean your refrigerator.

No single grower, supplier or distributor has been identified as the source of the lettuce that caused the infections.

"CDC officials recommend that clinicians not prescribe antibiotics to anyone infected with this bacteria as some studies suggest that these drugs could increase a patient’s risk of developing a serious complication from the illness," Sheri Rudavsky reports for The Indianapolis Star.