Celery blend in grocery deli items recalled for E. coli

Dr. Robert Tauxe of the CDC commended state health officials for quickly discovering the outbreak and helping find the links across seven states. However, according to Wilson, this supplier must undergo one additional test to confirm its vegetables are connected to the E coli outbreak.

Costco, which has its headquarters in Issaquah, Washington, also went ahead and pulled the chicken salad off all their store shelves nationwide and posted signs of warnings in the stores informing customers of the health risk.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

The E. coli outbreak traced to Costco chicken salads appears to have been caused by vegetables in the salad, rather than the chicken itself, according to company officials.

The illnesses are not related to a recent E. coli outbreak tied to Chipotle that sickened more than 40 people.

Shiga toxin producing strain of E.Coli can even be life threatening.

Consumers were advised to throw out any rotisserie chicken salad purchased before November 20 bearing the label “Chicken Salad made with Rotisserie Chicken” with item number 37719, according to the CDC. The sickness reports started on October 6 and involved individuals from age 5 to 84, the CDC said. In some patients (particularly seniors and young children), E. coli 0157:H7 bacterium can cause Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, kidney damage, or even cause fatality. Once this is established, officials will determine the source of the ingredient and whether it was used in any Costco product. Health authorities say chicken salad from Costco has been linked to at least one case of E. coli in Washington state. Symptoms can include abdominal cramps and diarrhea, which can sometimes be bloody.

The incubation period is three to seven days from the time of exposure.