An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to ready-to-eat salads appears to be over, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
A total of 33 people were infected with the outbreak strain. Cases were reported from four states: Arizona (1), California (28), Texas (1) and Washington (3). No deaths were reported, but 32 percent of the victims were hospitalized and two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure.
On Nov. 11, Glass Onion Catering recalled roughly 181,620 lbs. of ready-to-eat salads and sandwich wraps containing fully-cooked chicken and ham on concerns the products were contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service had been monitoring the outbreak since Oct. 29. Traceback investigations led to Richmond, Calif.-based Glass Onion Catering as the supplier of the contaminated products which included Field Fresh Chopped Salad with Grilled Chicken and Mexicali Salad with Chili Lime Chicken, produced by Glass Onion Catering and sold at Trader Joe’s grocery stores.
