Wholesale produce company Taylor Farms Pacific of Tracy, California, was named by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week as being the source of the contaminated celery in Costco’s rotisserie chicken salad that has now sickened 19 people in seven states.
Last week, a celery and Onion Diced Blend tested positive for E. coli 0157:H7, a virulent form of the bacterium, in a sample taken by the Montana Department of Health. The sample tested was used in a Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad that has been linked to the multi-state outbreak, according to the FDA bulletin posted on the Taylor Farms website.
Numerous items, including chicken salads and wraps, celery sticks and snack trays have been included in the recall. Additionally, Starbucks’ stores have recalled their Holiday Turkey & Stuffing Panini because of the expanded recall. The Seattle-based company has recalled the sandwiches from over 1,000 stores after discovering they were linked the same items used by Costco in their recall.
Major grocery stores include: Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Albertsons, 7-Eleven, Target, King Sooper, Pantry, Raley’s, Savemart, Vons, Tony’s and Safeway. To review the list yourself, please go HERE.
The public is warned to take precautions by throwing away any Costco chicken salad bought before Nov. 20. The CDC is saying it is likely more people will become ill in this outbreak over the next few weeks, even though the products have been removed from store shelves. Health officials are urging people who become ill to see their health care providers right away.
