CDC: Costco chicken salad linked to E. coli outbreak

“I am not aware in 25 years of doing this of one chicken outbreak linked to this strain of E.coli O157”, Marler said.

Wilson identified the supplier as Taylor Farms in Salinas, California. The operation of Costco in Hoover, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile has since been stopped and all chicken salad and the remaining rotisserie was destroyed as of November 20.

A joint investigation between Costco and the CDC into what ingredient caused the development of E. Coli is now underway.

Officials are working to determine the source.

The particular strain of E. coli involved in the Costco outbreak – 157 – is more unsafe, especially to young people, than the strain responsible for the recent Chipotle outbreak that swept the Northwest and sickened more than 40 people, The Associated Press reported.

Five of those people have been hospitalized, including two with kidney failure.

The human intestines contain hundreds of E. coli and similar bacteria strains.

This isn’t the first time Costco has found itself in the middle of a food contamination scandal, reported Reuters.

“We’re pretty confident the path that everyone seems to be on is correct”, he said. The chicken salad has a shelf life of three to four days and is labeled as “Chicken Salad made with Rotisserie Chicken”.

CBS DC reports that federal health officials are already advising the public to throw away the chicken salad from Costco bought Friday even if no one has gotten sick to avoid what happened to the other 19 people from Montana, Utah, Colorado California, Missouri, Virginia and Washington. The majority of illnesses have been reported from states in the western United States.

Consumers who purchased chicken salad made with rotisserie chicken – item number 37719 – from any Costco location should discard it. People who have eaten it and feel ill should talk to a health care provider.

Seattle attorney Bill Marler, representing some people affected in the Chipotle outbreak, said the latest incident amply demonstrates why food safety is so crucial.

Chipotle said after the news of the outbreak, it has conducted deep cleaning at the restaurants that have been linked to the incident. It had also suspended production until further notice, the company added.

“I think we’re going to learn something important from both ultimately”, he said.

Symptoms of E. coli infection include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.