Multistate Outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad

The Montana Public Health Laboratory tested a sample of celery and onion diced blend collected from a Costco store. This product was used to make the Costco rotisserie chicken salad eaten by ill people in this outbreak. Preliminary results indicated the presence of E. coli O157:H7. Laboratory testing is ongoing to isolate the E. coli bacteria and then determine the DNA fingerprint. As a result of the preliminary laboratory results, on November 26, 2015, Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc., voluntarily recalled multiple products containing celery because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased rotisserie chicken salad from any Costco store in the United States on or before November 20, 2015, should not eat, serve, or sell it and should throw it away. The product is labeled "Chicken Salad made with Rotisserie Chicken" with item number 37719 on the label. The product has a typical shelf life of 3 days. Even if some of the rotisserie chicken salad has been eaten and no one has gotten sick, throw the rest of the product away. Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, serve, or sell any of the recalled products containing celery produced by Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. Even if some of the product has been eaten and no one has gotten sick, throw the rest of the product away. Products containing recalled celery produced by Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. could be contaminated with E. coli and may make people sick. Contact your health care provider if you think you may have become ill from eating a recalled product. Most people infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) develop diarrhea (often bloody) and abdominal cramps an average of 3-4 days after swallowing the germ.