E.Coli Outbreak Grows as CDC Probes Wendy's Romaine Lettuce -- Update

By Jesse Newman

An E.coli outbreak is growing, according to the CDC, with most sick people reporting that they ate sandwiches with romaine lettuce at Wendy's restaurants before becoming ill.

The CDC said Friday that 37 people have now been infected with the outbreak strain of E.coli, and that investigators are working to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the source and if the lettuce was served at Wendy's or sold elsewhere.

The CDC isn't advising that people avoid eating at Wendy's or that they stop eating romaine lettuce. However, Wendy's is pulling the romaine lettuce it uses in sandwiches from some restaurants as a precautionary measure, CDC said.

Wendy's said it is cooperating with public health authorities.

"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 burger chain said in a statement. "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."

Foodborne illness outbreaks tied to leafy greens such as romaine lettuce have led in recent years to hundreds of illnesses and multiple deaths.

Write to Jesse Newman at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 19, 2022 20:10 ET (00:10 GMT)

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