The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed to USA Today that ready-to-eat chicken wraps sold at some Trader Joe’s stores are linked to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 50 people. According to USA Today, a lawsuit and state records identify the product as Trader Joe’s Tarragon Chicken Salad Wraps. Previously, the USDA had previously described the product only as an unnamed “ready-to-eat multi-ingredient wrap with chicken.”
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) told USA Today by email on Oct. 23 that ready-to-eat, multi-ingredient chicken wraps from certain Trader Joe’s stores were a common exposure among people who got sick. The agency said Trader Joe’s removed the wraps from shelves in September before it linked them to the outbreak, so it issued no recall.
In an Oct. 20 email to USA Today, Trader Joe’s said it pulled the wraps in nine states after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) told the company in September about a “possible issue.” Neither USA Today nor Trader Joe’s identified the nine states.
What Officials Know About the Outbreak
The FDA’s outbreak investigation table lists the outbreak as active, with 50 cases. The FDA says it has started traceback investigations, on-site inspections, and sample testing. The agency has also said the wraps are past their shelf life, making it unlikely that consumers still have them in their refrigerators.
The USDA said it is still working with other agencies to identify which ingredient in the wraps is responsible. According to USA Today, the agency said “extensive product testing” came back negative, and chicken is an unlikely source because E. coli O157:H7 is rarely associated with chicken.
Several questions remain unanswered in public reports, including who made the wraps, which ingredient is under investigation, and how many people were affected.
What the Lawsuit Alleges
Two people, one living in North Carolina and one in Massachusetts, say they got sick after eating the wraps and have filed a lawsuit against Trader Joe’s. They allege they bought the wraps on Aug. 23 and 24 at Trader Joe’s stores in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Allston, Massachusetts. Both say they were hospitalized. One tested positive for E. coli O157 and Shiga toxin 2; the other tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.
They are seeking damages for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Their attorney, food safety lawyer Bill Marler, told USA Today that the agencies should have publicly named the product. The lawsuit’s allegations have not been tested in court.
What Consumers Should Do
Trader Joe’s says it removed the wraps from shelves in September. If you purchased one and still have it, throw it away.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), E. coli infection symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody, and vomiting. Symptoms typically start three to four days after exposure. The CDC says to see a doctor if you experience bloody diarrhea, diarrhea that lasts more than two days, a fever above 102°F, vomiting so often that you can’t keep liquids down, or signs of dehydration.
Read the original article on Simply Recipes