E. Coli Outbreak Focuses on Taco Bell

Investigation Into New Jersey E. Coli Outbreak Focuses on Taco Bell

Sunday , December 03, 2006

NEWARK, N.J. — An outbreak of E. coli bacteria has sickened at least 15 people, two seriously, in central New Jersey during the past two weeks, officials said Sunday.

Authorities had yet to determine how and where the victims, mostly children, became infected. Investigators focused on a Taco Bell restaurant in South Plainfield where 11 of the victims ate.

The restaurant, which has been closed voluntarily since Thursday, passed a health code inspection last week and tests were being performed on stool samples from 21 of its employees.

Authorities were still looking for a few other employees from the restaurant and hoped to have results late Sunday or Monday.

"We have taken every precaution, including temporarily closing the restaurant until the investigation is completed, as nothing is more important to us than the health and safety of our customers and employees," said Rob Poetsch, a spokesman for Irvine, Calif.-based Taco Bell Corp.

Seven of the victims were in area hospitals Sunday night. Two had developed a serious condition called hemolytic uremic syndrome that can permanently damage the kidneys. Officials were also investigating four other cases of suspected E. coli infection.

"It's a significant outbreak and it's a serious disease," Middlesex County Director of Health David Papi said.

Two of the confirmed victims were adults, while the others mostly range in age from 7 to 14, Papi said

E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a common and ordinarily harmless intestinal bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the strain of E. coli that caused the New Jersey infections is often found in the intestines of healthy goats, sheep and cattle, and most infections are associated with undercooked meat.

It can be passed from person to person if people don't take steps such as thoroughly washing their hands.

E. coli may also be found in sprouts or green leafy vegetables such as spinach. Earlier this year, three people died and more than 200 were sickened by a strain of E. coli that was traced to packaged spinach grown in California.

Ouch... Chain or not, thats not good..

In this morning's newspaper, it updated the story to include the fact that two of the victims ate at other nearby Taco Bell locations in NJ. So, it would appear that the origin of the contamination lies outside of the Taco Bell in South Plainfield.

More than likely, it will eventually be traced to the lettuce or the ground beef that was supplied to the Taco Bells in this area. But, whatever the source, this is just a reminder that the Department of Agriculture, the CDC and the FDA need to focus their efforts on trying to prevent these deadly outbreaks. In far too many of these situations, kidney failure has led to deaths or disabilities for unsuspecting patrons.

EDIT: The local news media just mentioned that the same franchisee owns all (3, I think) of the NJ Taco Bell locations that have been connected with the recent contamination problem. This should make it easier to track down the source of the problematic food, since the same suppliers are undoubtedly used for all of these locations. This even seems to imply that the products that are sourced from Taco Bell's commissary are not the problem, since this outbreak has not been traced to any Taco Bell locations other than the ones owned by this franchisee. Although the chain's sales will probably plummet as a result of the news, at least the localized nature of the problem should help the chain to recover its image (whatever that might be) after the dust settles. In fact, the investment community must feel the Yum (corporate parent) is handling the situation well since the stock price is up more than 1% for the day, as of noontime. Of course, the bottom could drop out of it at any time, as a result of further bad news.

I doubt it's in the ground (beef???).

My guess is that the meats (of whatever type they might be) probably have to be sourced from the corporate level, and may well arrive fully cooked from the corporate commissary. And, since Taco Bells nationwide don't seem to be affected, the corporate commissary seems to not be the origin of the comtamination. More likely is that Yum corporate allows the local franchisee to purchase his produce from local suppliers, and that would be my best guess as to the origin of the contamination.

Hmmm...Now, there is an E Coli outbreak on Long Island (NY), and, at least at the outset, it looks like some of those cases may be tied to Taco Bell also. Maybe it was something that originated in the corporate commissary, after all.

In NJ, there are currently two children in critical condition from kidney damage inflicted by the infection. I feel bad for anyone who was sickened, but I am especially sad to hear of this contamination resulting in gravely ill children.

If it was in the beef, wouldn't it affect other restaurants that receive beef from the same source? Otherwise, I'd look at the workplace and employees sanitation habits.

Compare this with getting sick eating at Dinosaur BBQ. At least at Dinosaur you get sick eating good food . . . .

Somehow, none of this bad news is yet being perceived as bad for the corporate parent, Yum Corp. As of noontime today, Yum stock is up 2% for the day. I find this rather amazing, since news like this is usually poison for a stock.

Hello All,
It seems that this problem is local, meaning in a section of New York and New Jersey area.
It would seem logical that they will trace this down, find a primary source that all these
incidents surrounding Taco Bell share, and discover the problem.
While I am not a great lover of Taco Bell, except their Mexican Pizza, I think it wise
to wait and see what the corporation and local health authorities discover before rushing
to judgment.
We must be cautious, but not destroy a franchise and the jobs of many good workers before
we know answers and solutions to the problem.
Take Care,
Fieldthistle

Gives a whole new twist on their phrase,

RUN FOR THE BORDER.....

definitly
run for the border! or think outside the /ecoli?

A few minutes ago, I read on CNN.com that lab tests had shown the presence of a "harsh strain" of E. Coli in samples of scallions, and that the chain had ordered that scallions be pulled from the menu nationwide as a result of this finding.

Taco Bell uses scallions???

Those vegetables, man, they'll get you every time.

My sweety brought home some nachos from our local taco Mayo last night. Guess what I noticed on them? Hmm, what are the starting semptoms of E. Coli?

I think I might become a carnaterian?
Joe

Please don't give my son another reason for not eating green food!

as usual, Jay Leno found a joke out of all this.....
he said "it's okay; Taco Bell took their "e-coli taco" off the menu"

and tonight he said "Taco Bell has added 30 seats to each restaurant; well okay, they're toilet seats, but..."


and it has been said "run to the border?!?"; how about just "running to the bathroom"

Jack in the Box survived their hamburger related deaths (over 10 years ago?), and I believe Taco Bell is strong enough to survive.
(Chi Chi's Mexican Restaurant was not.... (hepatitas outbreak in Pittsburgh area : deaths included)

I dunno about all these green veggies comming from California. I know they find it's beyond anyones control, but have they ever heard of Port-a-Jons? I strongly doubt all the wildlife had a terrorist meeting to decide on which fields to torment.

At least Taco Bell can pull out of it. They're a big enough corporation. But if this was to happen at a mom and pop, they'd be out of business for good (And probably have the entire town hate them).

Plenty of soap & fresh water still needed though, Vic.

"I know they find it's beyond anyones control, but have they ever heard of Port-a-Jons?"

I just read in the paper at least 33 people, 14 of whom were hospitalized got sick from eating at a Taco John's in Cedar Falls, IA.

Preliminary tests suggest E. coli was to blame.

They didn't say what the suspect ingredient was.

It sure has had an effect on me. I just got back from lunch at Pappasito's in Houston and I did not partake in the lettuce, chopped onions and chopped tomatoes. I am sure they are OK but in my own mind, I was concerned.


The tamales and rice plus chips was good enough.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Nobody here knows the early semptoms? I feel fine but would still like to know.

And, what was the name of that futureistic movie where they said "all restaurants are Taco Bell"
Joe

I think I'm feeling the symptoms too...must have been that Double Scallion Burrito from Taco Bell. I did though decide to pass on trying their new item, the E-Colito.

Wasn't it scallions that brought down Chi-Chi's, too?

quote:

Originally posted by Wistah

I think I'm feeling the symptoms too...must have been that Double Scallion Burrito from Taco Bell. I did though decide to pass on trying their new item, the E-Colito.

Wasn't it scallions that brought down Chi-Chi's, too?

Yes it was.. I just went back and checked....

There was a report on the local news here in Pittsburgh this morning that there are four cases in Western Pa. possibly linked to the Taco Bell/e coli outbreak. They are being investigated and if true, would be the first ones on this side of the state.

The Allegheny County Health Department, which covers Pittsbugh, released a statement saying the illness of local Taco Bell customers is not related to the e coli outbreak elsewhere in the state and Northeast. This article also talks about how much Taco Bell's business has fallen off.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06346/745393-46.stm

The problems that have affected Taco Bell can easily be a problem for any other restaurant and including your own home.

It has made me realize how easily it is to have a major health problem.

I am very cautious anymore consuming any unclooked food. Lately I have been omitting any fresh veggies but I am sure that pretty soon I will again enjoy salads.

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Now it looks like Taco John's is having problems getting customers sick, with possible ties to e coli:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16152562/

I know there slogan is think outside the bun,something is going on outside the bun but it's not thinking!!!

Seems like they're thinking lettuce now vs. the onions...