Posted BY: Jim Hoft
State health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued an urgent health warning due to a rapidly spreading E. coli outbreak.
According to reports, a rapid-spreading E. coli outbreak is allegedly responsible for at least 37 cases of illness in the states of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana.
"So far, 19 people reported falling ill in Ohio, 15 in Michigan, two in Pennsylvania and one in Indiana, but the CDC said the true number is likely to be higher. There have been no reported deaths linked to the outbreak," NPR reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that many persons who became ill after dining at Wendy's in Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania said they had recently eaten a sandwich containing romaine lettuce.
"A specific food has not yet been confirmed as the source of this outbreak, but many sick people reported eating sandwiches with romaine lettuce at Wendy's restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania before getting sick," CDC wrote on its website.
"Based on this information, Wendy's is taking the precautionary measure of removing the romaine lettuce being used in sandwiches from restaurants in that region. Wendy's uses a different type of romaine lettuce for salads. Investigators are working to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the source of this outbreak, and whether romaine lettuce used in Wendy's sandwiches was served or sold at other businesses. Wendy's is fully cooperating with the investigation," the agency added.
In a statement, Wendy's said it is helping authorities with their investigation.
"We are fully cooperating with public health authorities on their ongoing investigation of the regional E. coli outbreak reported in certain midwestern states," Wendy's announced.
"While the CDC has not yet confirmed a specific food as the source of that outbreak, we are taking the precaution of removing the sandwich lettuce from restaurants in that region. The lettuce that we use in our salads is different, and is not affected by this action. As a company, we are committed to upholding our high standards of food safety and quality," the statement concluded.
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