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Dec 13, 2006 — LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -
Lettuce at Yum Brands Inc.’s Taco Bell restaurants was the most likely cause of an E.coli outbreak that sickened dozens of people in the northeastern United States, food safety officials said on Wednesday.
But no ingredients have tested positive for the E. coli strain blamed for the outbreak and cheese is also being investigated, the officials said during a Food and Drug Administration conference call.
Lettuce became the focus of the investigation after a statistical analysis of what people had eaten before they fell ill. Many also ate beef, and that supply chain is also being looked at, the officials said.
The change in focus of the investigation means the main ingredients of tacos are now being considered.
Taco Bell banned green onions after an early test, since discredited, showed the onions were the source of contamination.
“It would be folly at this point to drop the cheese completely. It’s critical to keep all options open,” said David Acheson, Chief Medical Officer of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
A total of 71 people have fallen sick because of the E. coli outbreak linked to Taco Bell, the officials said, but no new cases have been reported since December 6.
“We are fairly confident that the contaminated product is not being distributed or served at this point,” said Christopher Braden, Medical Epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Braden conducted the statistical study.
Taco Bell scheduled a Wednesday afternoon call to discuss the outbreak.
Copyright 2006 Reuters News Service.
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2 Responses to “Mmm Taco Bell EColi Stuffed Burrito!”
old news, i guess taco bells food is trying to become a little too much like real mexican food, heh
I NEVER ATE THIS CRAP ANYWAY, SO WHO CARES?
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