Food chains are removing lettuce from sandwiches in some states, but CR urges more vigilance until more is known about the source of the outbreak.
Lisa L. Gill
Thirty-seven people got sick and 10 were hospitalized with a dangerous E. coli strain known as E. coli O157:H7. Most of them were after eating Wendy’s sandwiches, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed. The disease broke out in his four states: Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Wendy’s has not confirmed the source of E. coli, but says it removed Romaine’s lettuce from sandwiches in the area. While the investigation is ongoing, Consumer Reports food-safety experts have advised people not to eat Wendy’s sandwiches or romaine lettuce salads until the company confirms the source of the pathogen and knows what caused the problem and what to do about it. It says it will.
No deaths have been reported. The illness began on dates ranging from 26th July to 8th August.
“E. coli can be particularly harmful to young children, young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems,” said James E., director of food safety and inspections at Consumer Reports. “The goal is to minimize the risk of infection,” says Dr. Rogers. is the safest to do.”
Wendy’s has yet to respond to CR’s questions about the outbreak, the type of testing the company is conducting, and whether other states will be affected. But the CDC points out that romaine lettuce served with burgers and sandwiches is the most commonly eaten ingredient among people who are sick.
The actual number of sick people in the outbreak is likely higher than reported, according to the CDC, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known illness.
Between 2006 and 2019, romaine lettuce and other leafy greens, such as spinach and bags of spring mix, were implicated in at least 46 multistate E. coli outbreaks, according to the CDC. (See CR Leafy Greens Safety Guide.). CR food safety experts, including Rogers, have long supported efforts to empower the FDA to identify the causes of these outbreaks and take necessary action to prevent future outbreaks. rice field.
coli symptoms
E. coli symptoms can appear 3 to 5 days after eating contaminated food and include diarrhea and a fever of 102°C or higher. Diarrhea has been with him for 3 days and has not improved. Severe dehydration, including bloody diarrhea, uncontrolled vomiting, dry mouth and throat, dizziness when standing up, and poor urination.
According to the CDC, up to 10% of people infected with E. coli can develop a kidney complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can fatally damage a person’s kidneys. there is. Symptoms include infrequent urination, extreme tiredness, and loss of pink on the cheeks and under the lower eyelids.
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