Contributed by Nicole Weaver| 08 December, 2006 04:18 GMT
An Oxnard, Calif., farm that grows green onions supplied to the Taco Bell restaurant chain has become the focal point of the investigation of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened dozens of people in the U.S. as the range of reported cases continues to expand.
Most of those taken ill reside on New York's Long Island and in New Jersey.
Taco Bell reportedly has removed the green onions from all of its restaurants in the country as it continues to investigate the source of the bacterial contamination.
The strain of E. coli involved in the outbreak can cause bloody diarrhea, anemia and kidney failure.
Although the Oxnard farm where the onions were grown has become a focus for investigators, there are several points along the onion supply chain where the bacteria might have been introduced.
Other possibilities include the New Jersey Ready Pac plant where the onions were cut and cleaned, and the McLane Foodservice warehouse, also in N.J., which distributed them to Taco Bell outlets.
Ready Pac is one of the brands involved in the spinach recall in September due to an E. coli outbreak that ultimately was traced to a California plant that bags spinach.
Reports of lawsuits resulting from the current outbreak are beginning to surface. Concerned customers can call the restaurant chain's hot line, 1-800-TACO-BELL. |
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