Introduction
In late November 2019, Wendy’s was hit with an E. coli outbreak that has since been linked to more than 500 cases of food poisoning across the United States. The outbreak, which was initially reported to have affected only a handful of states, has since been linked to cases in more than 20 states. This article will discuss the scope of the outbreak, the potential causes, and the steps Wendy’s has taken to address the issue. It will also provide advice on how to protect yourself from foodborne illnesses and what to do if you think you may have been affected.
Wendy’s E. Coli Outbreak Is Bigger Than Initially Reported
It’s been a rough few weeks for Wendy’s. The fast food chain has been dealing with an E. coli outbreak that has affected customers in several states. Initially, the outbreak was thought to be limited to three states, but now it appears to be much bigger.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that the outbreak has now spread to nine states, including California, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington. The CDC is still investigating the source of the outbreak, but it appears to be linked to Wendy’s salads.
The outbreak has already sickened more than 150 people, and the CDC is warning people to avoid eating salads from Wendy’s. The agency is also recommending that people who have eaten salads from Wendy’s in the past two weeks should seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms of E. coli infection, such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.
This is not the first time Wendy’s has been linked to an E. coli outbreak. In 2016, the chain was linked to an outbreak that sickened more than 70 people in the United States and Canada. The source of that outbreak was also linked to salads.
Wendy’s has not yet commented on the current outbreak, but the company has said that it is working with the CDC and local health authorities to investigate the source of the outbreak. In the meantime, the CDC is recommending that people avoid eating salads from Wendy’s and seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms of E. coli infection.
A multistate E. coli outbreak that has been traced back to Wendy’s is growing in scope. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 37 cases of food poisoning with the potentially deadly bacteria on Friday, but the number is now said to be over 100, and still expected to rise as state authorities continue to track the infection.
While the exact source of the outbreak hasn’t been officially named by authorities, the CDC’s investigation is focusing on romaine lettuce served on Wendy’s burgers and sandwiches, such as Dave’s Singles and Jr. Cheeseburgers. The chain has stopped serving the questionable lettuce at some restaurants in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, where the outbreak is active.
“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 chain’s statement said. “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 CDC stated that people do not need to steer clear of Wendy’s or avoid eating romaine lettuce and there seems to be no evidence that the lettuce purchased in grocery stores or consumed at other restaurants is implicated in this outbreak.
According to The New York Post, the number of cases in Michigan alone has climbed to 43, while results for 55 more cases in the state are pending.
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Additionally, lawsuits against Wendy’s are beginning to trickle in from victims based in Michigan and Ohio. According to Bill Marler, an attorney representing some of them, the number of confirmed cases is likely to reach “over 200 in the next couple of days.”
Victims’ ages range from 6 to 91, and several have so far been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Mura Dominko