Wendy’s removes lettuce from sandwiches in three states amid E. coli outbreak | US News

quick –food chain Wendy’s says it is pulling lettuce from sandwiches at its restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania after people who ate them there reported getting sick.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Friday that they are trying to determine whether romaine lettuce in Wendy’s sandwiches is the source of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened more than 30 people, and whether romaine used by the chain is also served or sold at other locations.

The CDC said one person in Indiana also got sick. A message was left at Wendy’s about lettuce on sandwiches in that state.

There is no evidence that romaine sold in grocery stores is linked to Escherichia coli the outbreak in question, according to the CDC. The agency also said it is not advising people to stop eating at Wendy’s or refrain from eating romaine lettuce.

Wendy’s says the lettuce used in its salads is different from the lettuce in its sandwiches, so it is not affected by the decision to remove lettuce from its sandwiches. The company said it is working with the CDC.

“While CDC has not yet confirmed a specific food as the source of this outbreak, we are taking precautions by discarding and replacing sandwich lettuce at some restaurants in this region,” the fast-food giant said in a statement. “The lettuce we use in our salads is different and is not affected by this action.

“As a company, we strive to maintain high standards of food safety and quality.”

At least 37 people have been affected by the E. coli outbreak as of Thursday. Their ages ranged from six to 91, with an average age of 21. According to the CDC, 62% of the group was male.

Although symptoms vary, people with E. coli usually experience stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting.

Ten people are hospitalized. There are three of these 10 people Michigan he developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, according to the CDC.

“The true number of cases in this outbreak is likely higher than the reported number, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known disease,” CDC officials said.

Citing a national laboratory that links foodborne, waterborne and other disease cases to detect outbreaks, the agency added: “This is because some recent illnesses have not yet been reported to PulseNet, which usually takes 3 to 4 weeks. to determine whether a sick person is part of an outbreak.”