Taco John's E. coli Outbreak: Iowa

The following is the most recent information regarding the E. coli outbreak linked to Taco John’s in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Pritzker | Ruohonen has been monitoring the outbreak and will continue to make updates to this page as information on the Taco John’s E. coli outbreak becomes available. 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 multiple states. If you or your child has been infected with E. coli after eating at the Taco John’s in Cedar Falls, Iowa, contact lawyer Fred Pritzker for a free consultation. Our offices are conveniently located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For answers to questions regarding evidence, liability and damages, please see Taco John’s E. coli Lawsuit FAQ.

Iowa Department of Health Press Release (December14, 2006): Testing conducted by the public health labs of Iowa and Minnesota has confirmed that the outbreaks of shiga-toxin producing E. coli 0157 genetically match, meaning the two outbreaks are related.

That same testing also shows the Midwest outbreak IS NOT linked to any other outbreak occurring in the United States at this time.

Interviews with victims of the Midwest outbreak has provided enough information that health officials can say that lettuce has been epidemiologically-indicated as the source of the outbreak, although testing of food items is still underway.

The investigation into this outbreak, which has sickened at least 50 in Iowa and 27 in Minnesota is still ongoing and involves the two state health departments, their public health labs (University of Iowa Hygienic Lab in Iowa), Black Hawk County in Iowa, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and the Food and Drug Administration in Washington D.C.

The following is a brief chronology of events:

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.
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."
Monday, December 11 -- Health officials made public the link between the Iowa E. coli cases and the Taco John’s restaurant.
Wednesday, December 13 -- Genetic fingerprinting links the Iowa E. coli outbreak and the Minnesota E. coli outbreak with

Taco John's International, based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, operates and franchises more than 400 quick-service restaurants in 27 states. Minnesota health officials are investigating reports of illness in Minnesota that may be connected to this E. coli outbreak.

Taco John's E. coli Outbreak in Iowa: Lawyer and Lawsuit Information
If you contracted an E. coli infection after eating at Taco John's in Cedar Falls, Iowa, 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 for a free consultation, call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or use the firm's online-consultation form.

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