FDA Opens Taco Bell E. Coli Investigation

FDA announced Dec. 6 that it was investigating all non-meat products used in Taco Bell’s food after 43 people became infected with E. coli O157:H7 after eating at the restaurant chain.

The 43 cases were reported in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware, with the bulk of them in New Jersey and New York. More cases are suspected in Connecticut, FDA said. So far, 35 people have been hospitalized and three people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a form of kidney failure that can result from E. coli infection. The onset of symptoms occurred between Nov. 20 and Dec. 2.

Taco Bell pulled green onions from all its restaurants after a preliminary test indicated E. coli was possibly present. The green onions were grown by Boskovich Farms in Oxnard, Calif., and processed by Ready Pac in its Florence, N.J. facility.

FDA and local health officials visited Ready Pac on Dec. 7. The company has stopped processing green onions, although its other lines were not affected. Boskovich Farms has not been contacted by FDA regarding the outbreak, but it is working with Taco Bell and its suppliers to find the source of the E. coli.

FDA said in its statement that the investigation would include green onions, cilantro, cheddar cheese, blended cheese, yellow onions, tomatoes and lettuce.