The Center for Disease Control, in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is currently investigating another E. coli outbreak, this time in connection with Costco’s rotisserie chicken salad.
The CDC reports that, as of Tuesday, 19 people have been infected in seven states. Five have been hospitalized, and two have developed a form of kidney failure known as hemolytic uremic syndrome. No deaths have been reported.
Out of 16 infected patients, 14 had either purchased or consumed Costco’s rotisserie chicken salad the week before the outbreak. Illnesses have been reported in California, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
Costco was informed of the outbreak on Nov. 20 and immediately halted sale and production of the product. Craig Wilson, the retailer’s vice president of food safety, expressed deep regret that customers have fallen ill and said that the company is working closely with the CDC, FDA, and USDA in ongoing investigations. Wilson added that, to the company’s knowledge, the five hospitalized patients have since recovered and are doing well.
No specific ingredient in the chicken salad has yet been identified as the culprit.