Tainted lettuce has sickened at least 19 people in Ohio,...

Tainted lettuce has sickened at least 19 people in Ohio, New York and Michigan, prompting a recall throughout much of the country. Credit: Newsday File / Tony Jerome

WASHINGTON - Lettuce sold to retailers in 23 states and the District of Columbia has been recalled because of a possible link to 19 cases of E. coli.

Freshway Foods of Sidney, Ohio, announced on Thursday a recall of romaine lettuce after illnesses were reported in Michigan, Ohio and New York. The Food and Drug Administration says the illnesses include 12 people who have been hospitalized and three with potentially life-threatening symptoms.

The New York State Public Health Laboratory in Albany discovered the contamination in a bag of Freshway Foods lettuce on Wednesday.

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

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