St. Louis E Coli Outbreak Investigation Eyes Schnucks Suppliers
Missouri health officials are enlisting the help of the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the search for the source of the St. Louis E. coli outbreak expands to include suppliers and distributors from outside the state.
In an update about the investigation released yesterday, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) said that inspections of several Schnuck's stores and warehouses have all turned up clean. The investigation is now expanding to include distributors and/or producers located outside of Missouri which will require the resources of the FDA.
Laboratory testing to identify the specific strain and "genetic fingerprint" of the E. coli involved is underway. So far, 26 samples have been completed and they all match. This suggests that all 26 people are part of the outbreak and that only one specific organism is involved, DHSS said in the statement.
Food samples have also been submitted for laboratory testing to determine whether E. coli is present. So far, 17 samples have been submitted, and all have come back negative for E. coli. These samples included two strawberries retrieved from sick individuals' homes, DHSS statement said. The remaining samples consist of lettuce, strawberries, and Caesar dressing taken from several Schnuck's stores in the region.
“Those products that were in question were not created by Schnucks,” Schnucks spokeswoman Lori Willis told the Morris Daily Herald. “There’s got to be a supplier involved in some way.”
Public health officials continue to urge anyone in the St. Louis area experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea or nausea, to seek medical attention.
Those with legal questions about an illness associated with this outbreak should contact PritzkerOlsen P.A., one of the nation’s leading food safety law firms for a free consultation. A toll free number is also available 1(888) 377-8900.
