According to latest reports, an ingredient in the Costco’s rotisserie chicken salad – diced celery, has been found as the source of the recent E. coli outbreak. The said ingredient came from Taylor Farms Pacific of Tracy, which is now recalling its selected products as they may include celery which could potentially contain E. coli 0157:H7.
“The products [listed on the website] are being recalled out of an abundance of caution due to a Celery and Onion Diced Blend testing positive for E. coli 0157:H7 in a sample taken by the Montana Department of Health. The Celery and Onion Diced Blend tested by the state of Montana was used in a Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad that has been linked to a multi-state E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak”, according to the firm’s press release published on FDA website.
Business Insider says that the recall affects several retailers including Starbucks, Walmart, 7-Eleven, Target and many others.
E. coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria live in the digestive tracts of humans and animals. There are many types of E. coli, and most of them are harmless. But some can cause bloody diarrhea. Some strains of E. coli bacteria may also cause severe anaemia or kidney failure, which can lead to death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that as of November 23, 19 people infected with the outbreak strain of STEC O157:H7 have been reported from 7 states. The majority of illnesses have been reported from states in the western U.S., 5 ill people have been hospitalized, and 2 have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.
“Consumers who purchased rotisserie chicken salad from any Costco store in the United States on or before November 20, 2015, should not eat it and should throw it away”, the CDC said.
