Wendys removes lettuce from sandwiches in at least four states

Wendy’s removes lettuce from sandwiches in at least four states amid E. coli outbreak

After dozens of people fell ill in an E. coli outbreak in several states, officials said Friday many sick people reported eating Wendy’s romaine lettuce sandwiches.

There have been 37 illnesses and 10 hospitalizations linked to the outbreak, which is currently limited to Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC said Friday that “many sick people reported eating romaine lettuce sandwiches at Wendy’s restaurants in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania before becoming ill, although a specific food “has not yet been confirmed as a source of this outbreak.”

As a precaution, Wendy’s is removing romaine lettuce, which is used in sandwiches, from its area restaurants. The fast-food chain uses a different type of romaine in their salads.

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“Investigators are working to confirm whether romaine lettuce is the source of this outbreak and whether the romaine lettuce used in Wendy’s sandwiches was served or sold at other stores,” the CDC confirmed.

Wendy’s said in a statement to USA TODAY that it is “fully cooperating with health authorities in the ongoing investigation into the regional E. coli outbreak being reported in certain Midwestern states.”

“As a company, we are committed to maintaining our high standards of food safety and quality,” Wendy’s said in the statement.

Officials are not currently advising that people should avoid eating at Wendy’s restaurants or that people stop buying or eating romaine lettuce. A 2019 outbreak of romaine lettuce e.coli eventually resulted in more than 100 people in 23 states becoming infected, according to the CDC.

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Two people have called in sick in Pennsylvania, 19 in Ohio, one in Indiana and 15 in Michigan. The cases have all been reported since July 26.

Health officials said people should call their health care providers if they have severe E. coli symptoms, which can include diarrhea, a fever over 102 degrees, bloody diarrhea, signs of dehydration and more.

Symptoms usually begin three to four days after ingesting the bacteria, and most people recover within five to seven days, according to the CDC.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: CDC: Wendy’s Salad in relation to E. coli outbreak in four states