Taco John's food is source of E. coli outbreaks in Iowa and Minnesota
On Tuesday, the Des Moines Register was reporting that an E. coli outbreak that had been traced to a Taco John's restaurant in Cedar Falls, Iowa, was potentially linked to an outbreak in Albert Lea, Minnesota.
The outbreak began in Black Hawk County, where 18 people have been hospitalized this month after eating at a local Taco John's restaurant.Monday afternoon, Minnesota officials announced that they were investigating an apparent outbreak of E. coli infections tied to a Taco John's restaurant in Albert Lea, which is just north of Iowa.
The same day, Taco John's issued a press release that outlined the chronology of the outbreak at Cedar Falls:
- Tuesday, November 28-- The first illness was reported to the Black Hawk County Health Department.
- Wednesday, December 6 -- The Department contacted Taco John's indicating that some (not all) of those who were sick had eaten at the Taco John's franchise at 6210 University Ave., Cedar Falls, IA. The same day, the Department conducted an inspection at that location.
Immediately thereafter, Taco John's followed Department recommendations to replace all the food being used in the restaurant.
The franchise was allowed to re-open an hour later and remains open.
Taco John's notified Roma Foods, the primary supplier to franchisees in that region, of the issue and urged its management to double-check its own compliance, although Roma, like Taco John's, has an excellent health and safety record.
- Thursday, December 7 -- One local newspaper reported that, "More than a dozen people are hospitalized in Black Hawk County with an illness that may be E. coli," said Tom O'Rourke, director of the county health department. "We are not ready to call it E. coli."
- Friday, December 8 -- Another local paper quoted Tom O'Rourke as saying, "We have no reason to believe a threat still exists." The paper went on to say, "Taco John's, located at 6210 University Ave.remains open. Local health officials said the restaurant has fully cooperated with efforts to identify sick customers and ensure food safety."
- Saturday, December 9 -- Company representatives phoned and e-mailed every owner and operator in the Taco John's system to alert them to this issue and to reinforce standards.
Taco John's again made an announcement today, December 13, stating that it had hired a new produce vendor.
Approximately 100 Taco John's franchises in the Midwest will be using a new produce vendor starting as soon as today as an extreme precautionary response to reports of potential E. coli contamination at three of the franchise locations, one in Iowa and two in Minnesota, that used a common vendor. The remainder of the Taco John's system utilizes other produce vendors.
Marler Clark, the E. coli attorneys, will file a lawsuit against Taco John's tomorrow morning.
