7 E. Coli Infections In MD Traced To Prepackaged Salad: Officials

MARYLAND — Seven people sickened by E. coli had eaten a salad from Sam's Club, according to state health officials. One person was hospitalized, according to the Maryland Health Department.

E. coli 0157 was found in the romaine lettuce of one of the unopened salads purchased by someone who had gotten sick, officials said, noting the lettuce was linked to an outbreak before.

The company that sold the salad has provided additional information after the state released its preliminary findings.

According to Bonduelle, the product associated with the E. coli infections was Ready Pac Foods Bistro Chicken Raised Without Antibiotics Caesar Salad 2/6.25oz, lot number 255406963, UPC number 7774527249. It has a use-by date of Oct. 31.

The product was only sold at Sam's Club, the food manufacturer reported in a statement Nov. 20, contrary to initial information from state health officials that it was distributed by other retailers.

Related:

• E. Coli Outbreak: CDC Says Throw Out Romaine Lettuce (2018)

Most people who get sick from an E. coli 0157 infection show symptoms three to four days after they consume the bacteria, but the time line for the illness can range from one to 10 days.

Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea (often bloody), officials say. Sometimes fever occurs.

While infections may be mild, they can be severe and sometimes fatal. For example, E. coli can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that damages blood vessels in the kidneys, authorities warn. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 5 to 10 percent of people who are diagnosed with an E. coli infection get this syndrome.

Recovery time from E. coli is about five days to a week, according to health officials.

State health officials advise seeking medial advice in these cases:

• Diarrhea lasts for more than three days
• Diarrhea with fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
• Diarrhea with blood in the stool
• Diarrhea with ongoing vomiting

Those who have the Ready Pac chicken Ceasar Salad lot #255406963 with best-by date of Oct. 31 should not eat it.

"In agreement with all regulatory agencies, we are not taking any recall action," Bonduelle said in a statement. "The products identified are already significantly past their use-by dates and will no longer be on store shelves. As always, please abide by any use-by dates, and do not consume any products that have exceeded these dates."

Staff of Bonduelle Fresh Americas "rigorously test all of our leafy greens (including romaine) and did not have any positive test results for E. coli O157:H7 during this time frame," the company said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor the situation very closely, and we will continue to make new information readily available."