People often associate E. coli outbreaks with raw or undercooked beef. However, E. coli can be found on other products too, such as, fresh produce. For example, between 2010 and 2019, 16 recalls due to E. coli in Canada were linked to romaine lettuce. The outbreaks related to lettuce grown in the United States (U.S.) resulted in at least seven deaths in North America, and hundreds of people were sickened or hospitalized. No E. coli related recalls of romaine lettuce have occurred in Canada since 2019.
Given the risks, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has measures in place to help verify that the produce you buy and eat is safe. These include conducting additional testing, verifying compliance of importers, and implementing additional temporary import measures for romaine lettuce.
The CFIA takes action
After thorough engagement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and review of its investigation findings that pinpointed the source of these recurring outbreaks, the CFIA has been applying temporary import conditions for romaine lettuce grown in California's Salinas Valley since 2020.
For the 2026 fall growing season, the CFIA has updated the temporary import requirements for romaine lettuce from California’s Salinas Valley, which will be in place from September 24 to December 17, 2026. Importers will now have two options to demonstrate compliance with the temporary licence conditions, including a participation in an industry food safety program or, as in previous years, demonstrating proof that their romaine lettuce products do not contain detectable levels of E. coli O157:H7 through testing by an accredited laboratory. Alternatively, they must prove that the lettuce products do not come from the Salinas Valley.
The CFIA also continues to monitor fresh vegetables for E. coli by regularly sampling and testing food from grocery stores across the country. Since 2019, the Agency has tested close to 5,000 samples of imported romaine lettuce, as well as products containing romaine lettuce. None of the tested samples showed the presence of E. coli O157:H7.
Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
Strict requirements are in place for all imported food – not just romaine lettuce. Under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, importers of all foods must have preventive controls in place to address food safety hazards. They are required to document these controls in a written plan, unless they meet the small business exception.
They also need records that trace imported products one step forward and one step back in the supply chain. This significantly reduces the time it takes to recall a product, if necessary.
Working with U.S. partners
The CFIA works with the U.S. FDA to quickly identify and respond to potential outbreaks, and to understand how pathogens like E. coli can contaminate produce.
Leafy greens imported from California can only be sourced from a certified member of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) which subjects the greens to strict food safety requirements and regular audits by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
The CFIA continued to closely monitor the progress of the U.S. FDA's Leafy Greens Action Plan, a multi-year plan that the U.S. FDA put in place in 2020 to address the leafy greens risk. Recognizing the progress made through the U.S. FDA's Leafy Greens Action Plan and industry-led food safety initiatives such as the LGMA's Romaine Test & Learn program, the CFIA has introduced greater flexibility in this year's import requirements while maintaining strong protections for Canadian consumers.
What you can do
The CFIA is working hard to verify that all produce purchased and consumed by Canadians remains safe, but consumers also have a role to play in protecting themselves and their families.
Learn about produce safety and sign up for the CFIA's food recall warnings to get the latest news about recalls.
Learn more
- Temporary import requirements for romaine lettuce from the United States
- Sign up for food recall and allergy alerts
- How we decide to recall a food product
- Going the extra mile for imported food safety
- Pass the Mic: talking about food recall communications
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