Romaine lettuce from Wendy’s has been linked to an E. coli outbreak across multiple states. At least 84 cases have been confirmed by the CDC, and the numbers are still growing. At least 34 people have been hospitalized. The source? Likely, contaminated water…
Romaine lettuce being harvested from mile-long rows in California’s Central Valley…
Wendy’s and other restaurant chains have been hit with E. coli outbreaks in the decade. But this one may be the worst yet. Cases have been reported in Michigan (53); Ohio (23); Indiana (six); and Pennsylvania (two).
At least 84 cases have been confirmed and 38 have been hospitalized. The total case count under investigation may be as high as 180 or more.
Outbreak follows familiar pattern
This latest outbreak has been linked to Romaine lettuce served by Wendy’s as a topping on its burgers and sandwiches. Same modus operandi as many former outbreaks.
But don’t be too quick to settle the blame on Wendy’s. Turns out they could have washed the lettuce a dozen times and the contamination still might not have been purged.
Fall is E. coli season
Dr. Darrin Detwiler, a food regulatory policy professor at Northeastern University, told NBC News: “Most E. coli outbreaks take place in the fall, when lettuce production shifts from California’s Central Coast to Arizona’s Yuma Valley and California’s Imperial Valley. Scientists aren’t sure whether environmental factors, such as the water supply, or other factors are to blame.”
The predominant reason for such outbreaks is contaminated water. And standard restaurant produce washing protocols won’t remove it all. “Washing it […] could kill some of it, but you can never wash it enough to kill all of it,” Detwiler said.
Other food safety experts say bacteria, viruses and pesticides in irrigation water can actually be absorbed inside leafy greens where washing can’t touch them at all.
Devastating effects
E. coli is serious stuff. Ebonē Colbert, of Michigan, told NBC she ordered her ‘usual’ burger, topped with lettuce and tomato, at her local Wendy’, quickly developed a headache, nausea and vomiting, and ended up hospital for 12 days. Her symptoms developed into hemolytic uremia, a rare but potentially deadly condition that can result in severe dehydration and kidney failure. Colbert is now suing Wendy’s for the cost of her hospital stay – about $2,000 after her insurance ran out – and loss of work. She was off sick for a month.
“I didn’t realize how bad E. coli was until I got it. […] This has some serious consequences for people,” Colbert added.
Wendy’s exhibits full transparency
In a statement, Wendy’s said it is, “fully cooperating with public health authorities on their ongoing investigation of the regional E. coli outbreak reported in certain midwestern states. […] While the CDC has not yet confirmed a specific food as the source of that outbreak, we have taken the precaution of discarding and replacing the sandwich lettuce at some restaurants in that region. The lettuce that we use in our salads is different, and is not affected by this action.”
Wendy’s stresses that, as of yesterday, the CDC had not officially linked the outbreak with Wendy’s. However, no other sources have been identified as of this writing. The good news? It appears that none of the contaminated lettuce was sold at retail, in supermarkets. So you don’t have to worry about any Roamine you may have at home.
~ Maggie J.