Costco shoppers beware: an E. coli outbreak has hit our favorite warehouse store.
So far, 19 people across seven states have been affected. Federal health officials believe it is linked to the chain’s rotisserie chicken salads.
The first case was reported on October 6th, with the most recent one reported on November 3rd.
Fourteen of the 19 reported cases had purchased or eaten the salad before they contracted the bacteria.
Five of those affected have been hospitalized, and two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which Is a form of kidney failure.
There have been six cases in Montana, five in Utah, four in Colorado, and one case each in California, Missouri, Virginia, and Washington.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the age range is from 5 to 84 years old.
Costco informed the CDC that they removed all of this chicken salad from their stores worldwide, and they’ve stopped making the product until the issue has been resolved.
“The epidemiologic evidence available to investigators at this time suggests that rotisserie chicken salad made and sold in Costco stores is a likely source of this outbreak. The ongoing investigation has not identified what specific ingredient in the chicken salad is linked to illness.”
The product is called “Chicken Salad made with Rotisserie Chicken,” and has an item number of 37719. Health officials are urging consumers who have this chicken salad to throw it away, even if they’re already eaten some of it.
Chipotle, too, has taken further hits, with their E. coli outbreak now extending to California, Minnesota, Ohio, and New York, and rising to 43 cases reported.
