FDA Foodborne Illness Outbreak Update

"FDA Foodborne Illness Outbreak Investigation Update."  There is new information available on this topic at the URL below, and for your convenience the update is also provided below. New information is in bold.

http://www.fda.gov/Food/RecallsOutbreaksEmergencies/Outbreaks/ucm474356.htm

FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157 Infections Linked to Rotisserie Chicken Salad from Costco

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), and state and local authorities are investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 illnesses that have been reported in California, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
Update: December 8, 2015
FDA laboratory analysis did not confirm the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in a sample of a celery/onion mix produced by Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc., of Tracy, California, which the Montana Department of Health concluded had preliminarily tested positive for E. coli O157:H7.
On November 26, 2015, Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. voluntarily recalled 71 products citing “an abundance of caution due to a Celery and Onion Diced Blend testing positive for E. coli O157:H7 in a sample taken by the Montana Department of Health."
Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. initiated the voluntary recall when five preliminary analysis tests run by the Montana Public Health Laboratory all indicated the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in a sample of a celery and onion mix made by Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc., and collected from a Montana Costco.
The preliminary test that was done on the sample was a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which is commonly used to rapidly screen for the presence of the DNA of a bacteria, in this case E. coli O157:H7.
A “PCR positive” result indicates that the sample may have contained DNA of the bacteria in question. The confirmatory testing involves culturing to grow a living colony of bacteria from the sample, to confirm that the bacteria in question is present. “PCR positives” may not always be confirmed because, for example, other bacteria that may be present in the sample can interfere with the growth and isolation of the bacteria in question, or the bacteria in question may be in very low numbers and hard to isolate or perhaps have died off by the time confirmation testing was done.
The state of Montana provided the FDA with a partial sample of the celery/onion mix to assist with the analysis. FDA’s analysis did not confirm the presence of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria in the sample.
The celery and onion mix was made by Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. for use in Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad. This salad has been linked to a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses and has been removed from Costco stores. This salad is currently not in production.
The ongoing investigation has not identified a specific ingredient responsible for the illnesses.
The FDA is working with its federal and state partners to conduct a traceback investigation in an effort to determine the source of illnesses.
The FDA is moving quickly to investigate this issue and learn as much as possible to prevent additional people from becoming ill. We recognize that people will be concerned about these illnesses, and we will continue to provide updates and advice.

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?
The FDA, the USDA FSIS, and the CDC along with state and local officials are investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coliO157:H7 infections in California, Colorado, Montana, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
The epidemiologic evidence available to investigators at this time suggests that rotisserie chicken salad purchased from Costco stores is a likely source of this outbreak. This salad is currently not in production.
The ongoing investigation has not identified a specific ingredient responsible for the illnesses. The FDA is working with its federal and state partners to conduct a traceback investigation in an effort to determine the source of illnesses.
On November 26, 2015, Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. voluntarily recalled 71 products citing “an abundance of caution due to a Celery and Onion Diced Blend testing positive for E. coli 0157:H7 in a sample taken by the Montana Department of Health.”
Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. initiated the voluntary recall when five preliminary analysis tests run by the Montana Public Health Laboratory all indicated the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in a sample of a celery and onion mix made by Taylor Farms Pacific Inc., and collected from a Montana Costco.
The preliminary test that was done on the sample was a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which is commonly used to rapidly screen for the presence of the DNA of a bacteria, in this case E. coli O157:H7.
A “PCR positive” result indicates that the sample may have contained DNA of the bacteria in question. The confirmatory testing involves culturing to grow a living colony of bacteria from the sample, to confirm that the bacteria in question is present. “PCR positives” may not always be confirmed because, for example, other bacteria may be present in the sample and can interfere with the growth and isolation of the bacteria in question, or the bacteria in question may be in very low numbers and hard to isolate or perhaps have died off by the time confirmation testing was done.
The state of Montana provided the FDA with a partial sample of the celery/onion mix to assist with the analysis. FDA’s analysis did not confirm the presence of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria in the sample.
On November 20, 2015, Costco reported to the FDA that it removed rotisserie chicken salad from all stores in the U.S. and stopped further production of the product until further notice.
The celery and onion mix was made by Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. for use in Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad. This salad has been linked to a multi-state outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses and has been removed from Costco stores.
According to the CDC, as of November 23, 2015, a total of 19 ill people have been reported in seven states: California (1), Colorado (4), Missouri (1), Montana (6), Utah (5), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). Ill people range in age from 5 years to 84, with a median age of 18. Fifty-seven percent of ill people are female. There have been five reported hospitalizations and two reports of a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). There have been no reported deaths.
State and local public health officials are interviewing ill people to obtain information about foods they might have eaten and other exposures in the week before their illness started. Of the 19 ill people, 14 reported purchasing or eating rotisserie chicken salad from Costco in the week before illness started.
The FDA continues to work with Costco, Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. and federal, state and local agencies gathering information about the supply chain(s) of ingredients in the rotisserie chicken salad. The FDA will continue to provide updates on the investigation as they become available.
What are the Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7?
The symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. If there is fever, it usually is not very high (less than 101 degrees Fahrenheit /less than 38.5 degrees Celsius). Most people get better within 5–7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening.
Around 5–10 percent of those who are diagnosed with STEC infection develop a potentially life-threatening complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding from the nose and mouth, and losing pink color in cheeks and inside the lower eyelids. Persons with HUS should be hospitalized because their kidneys may stop working and they may develop other serious problems. Most persons with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent damage or die. People who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
Who is at Risk? 
People of any age can become infected. Very young children and the elderly are more likely than others to develop severe illness and HUS, but even healthy older children and young adults can become seriously ill.
What Specific Products were Recalled?
A list of products Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. has recalled is available here.
Consumers who have any of the products recalled by Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. are urged to throw them away.
Additionally, on November 20, 2015, Costco reported to the FDA that it removed rotisserie chicken salad from all stores in the U.S. and stopped further production of the product until further notice. Consumers who purchased rotisserie chicken salad from any Costco store in the U.S. on or before November 20, 2015, should not eat it and should throw it away. Even if some of the rotisserie chicken salad has been eaten and no one has gotten sick, throw the rest of the product away. This product has a typical shelf life of three days and is labeled “Chicken Salad made with Rotisserie Chicken” with item number 37719.
A picture of the product label is available here.
Who Should be Contacted? 
Contact your healthcare provider if you have diarrhea that lasts for more than 3 days, or is accompanied by high fever, blood in the stool, or so much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down and you pass very little urine.
Consumers who have questions about the Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. recall may call 209-830-3141 Monday to Friday, except holidays, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (PST).
Consumers with questions about the rotisserie chicken salad may want to contact Costco customer service at consumer affairs department toll free at 1-800-774-2678 Monday through Friday, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. (PST), and Saturday and Sunday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (PST).
The FDA encourages consumers with questions about food safety to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD or consult the fda.gov website.