Taco Bell and E. coli 0157

Posted by Judy Arbique Dec 6, 2006

Yesterday in the New York Times, reporter Robert McFadden reported an outbreak of food poisoning traced to Taco Bell restaurants in New Jersey and Long Island. According to the report an outbreak of E. coli 0157 caused gastrointestinal illness in at least 39 people last month, two of which were employees. Two children(ages 5 and 12) remain in hospital with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication of E. coli 0157 that most commonly affects children and can permanently damage the kidneys. Nine other people also remain in hospital.

Illnesses began in mid-November. The source of infection has not been identified, but it is believed that the source of contamination has already passed through the system, and no longer poses a threat. Because of the types of food sold at the chain of stores, contaminated ground beef would seem to be a likely suspect of illness; however, reportedly, because of an outbreak of E. coli 0157 in 1999, Taco Bell pre-cooks it taco meat before it arrives in the stores.

Source:

McFadden, Robert. December 5, 2006. E. coli sickens 39 in New Jersey and New York. New York Times. Retrieved from: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/05/nyregion/05coli.html. Accessed on December 5, 2006.

Related content:

Foodborne Illness: http://microbiology.suite101.com/article.cfm/foodborne_illness

E. coli 0157 Illness: http://microbiology.suite101.com/blog.cfm/e_coli_0157_illness