Fast food may be convenient, however, the quality of hygiene can create health issues occasionally. The fast food chain Wendy’s is under investigation as their food has caused an outbreak of E. coli in recent patronages.
The Fast food chain is under investigation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for food poisoning after incidents of E. coli infection have spread to New York and Kentucky.
Wendy’s is experiencing an outbreak of E. coli and lawsuits
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The food poisoning incidents were thought to be caused by bad lettuce at select Wendy’s restaurants.
New York is the most recent state added to the CDC’s map of E. Coli outbreaks, which increases the count to 6 different infected states.
These include Michigan, with 26-60 sick people, Ohio, with 24 people sick, Indiana, with 11 people sick people, Pennsylvania with 2 sick people, and Kentucky and New York with both 1 sick person.
There are currently 97 people nationwide who have been infected with an outbreak strain of E. Coli after they ate at the fast food chain.
According to the CDC, recent illnesses may not yet be reported because many people recover from the infection without medical care and are not actually tested for E. coli when they get sick.
Cases may increase with time
Some cases may not yet be reported as well because according to the CDC it takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
The CDC expects the true number of sick people from this outbreak is most likely higher than the current number reported.
They have also not yet confirmed the cause of the outbreak, however, many sick people have reported eating Wendy’s sandwiches with romaine lettuce before falling ill. They location where the cases were reported is also not specified to the public.
The CDC describes symptoms of E. coli as followed: A never higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit, vomiting to the point of being unable to keep down liquids, and signs of dehydration.
Wendy’s responds to the issue
Wendy’s responded to the CDC statement with a blog post released on August 19th and updated on September 4th, detailing their current media statement.
“We are fully cooperating with public health authorities on their ongoing investigation of the targeted E. coli outbreak reported in certain states. While the CDC has not yet confirmed a specific food as the source of that outbreak, we have taken the precaution of removing the sandwich lettuce at some restaurants. The lettuce that we use in our salads is different, and is not affected by this action. As a company, we are committed to upholding our high standards of food safety and quality.”
As cases increase, Wendy’s is also facing a number of lawsuits filed against them from those who have fallen ill with severe symptoms like diarrhea that can lead to kidney failure.
A Seattle-based law firm called Marler Clark is currently representing 36 people and filed six lawsuits in Ohio and Michigan against Wendy’s and its lettuce supplier.
According to a lawsuit from a woman in Michigan, she was hospitalized for 12 days after experiencing symptoms of E. Coli from eating a burger at Wendy’s four days before.
In another lawsuit, an Ohio resident was hospitalized for a week after eating a Wendy’s burger.
The CDC is asking. Those who are experiencing symptoms of E. Coli to keep a record of what they are in the week before becoming sick to help identify the source of infection.
Both the CDC and Wendy’s did not respond to a request for comment.
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