Taco Bell E. coli Outbreak: New Jersey

The following is a news release from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services regarding the Taco Bell E. coli outbreak in New Jersey. Pritzker | Ruohonen has been monitoring the outbreak and is reprinting the New Jersey news release here as a public service. Pritzker | Ruohonen has a national reputation in the area of food poisoning litigation, including E. coli lawsuits. The firm recently recovered a $6,425,000 settlement for victims of an outbreak that sickened people in New Jersey and surrounding states. If you or your child has been infected with E. coli after eating at a New Jersey Taco Bell, contact lawyer Fred Pritzker for a free consultation. With the source of the outbreak remaining elusive, victims should know that they have grounds for suing Taco Bell even if health officials never pin down what food made people sick. For answers to questions regarding evidence, liability and damages, please see Taco Bell E. coli Lawsuit FAQ.

New Jersey Department of Health Update of the E. coli Outbreak Linked to Taco Bell:
December 18, 2006 - The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services is investigating 89 cases of illness potentially related to the multi-state outbreak of E. coli 0157 infection associated with Taco Bell restaurants.

Included in the total are 37 cases that meet the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) case definition as being associated with the outbreak. This includes 26 confirmed cases in Middlesex (19), Somerset (2), Essex (2), Camden (1) and Union (2) counties. All 25 have strains of E. coli 0157 that match those of other confirmed cases in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and South Carolina.

The other 11 -- all probable cases according to the CDC definition – are from Middlesex (5), Union (2), Camden (1), Hunterdon (1), Mercer (1) and Somerset (1) counties.

The CDC has determined that the multi-state outbreak has ended because there have been no illnesses with onset within the past 5 days among identified cases, including suspect cases.

"The food source of the outbreak has not been determined. However, federal investigators have found raw ingredients consumed at Taco Bell restaurants to be of particular concern,’’ said Health and Senior Services Commissioner Fred M. Jacobs, M.D., J.D.

Since the beginning of this outbreak, the Department and local health departments have continuously collected data on both ill and well patrons of Taco Bell restaurants. These data have included information on the foods these persons consumed, including specific food ingredients.

The Department has been sharing its data with CDC, in addition to conducting its own data analysis. The Department's analysis has demonstrated that some food ingredients, including lettuce, cheese, and ground beef, were consumed more often among the ill persons than well persons; these findings are consistent with CDC's findings based on combined data from all states with cases associated with this outbreak.

In addition, federal agencies have collected information on Taco Bell restaurants and their food distribution and preparation characteristics, including data provided by NJDHSS to the CDC. Evaluation of all the data suggests that shredded lettuce consumed at Taco Bell restaurants in the northeastern United States was the likely source of the outbreak.

A public health investigation is ongoing to describe how this shredded lettuce may have become contaminated, but based on current information, federal and Department health officials believe the shredded lettuce likely became contaminated prior to reaching the Taco Bell restaurants.

People who develop symptoms of possible E. coli infection should contact their health care provider immediately. Symptoms could include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps or vomiting, but usually not fever.

Taco Bell E. coli Outbreak in New Jersey: Lawyer and Lawsuit Information
If you contracted an E. coli infection after eating at a New Jersey Taco Bell, contact an E. coli lawyer at Pritzker | Rhuohonen for a free consultation regarding your legal rights and remedies. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress and other damages.

Fred Pritzker has over 30 years of experience and has established a national reputation for excellence in the area of food poisoning litigation. He has recovered millions for victims of food poisoning. In recognition of his achievements, other lawyers have selected him for inclusion in the 2005-2006 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. To contact Pritzker | Ruohonen, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900, e-mail Fred Pritzker at info@pritzkerlaw.com or use the firm's online-consultation form.

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