Two recent E. coli outbreaks occurred at the end of the year. In the first case, E. coli O157 infected a celery and onion blend produced by Taylor Fresh Foods (Taylor Farms West) that was used in a rotisserie chicken salad sold at Costco Wholesale stores in multiple states. A sample of Taylor’s Celery and Onion Diced Blend taken by the Montana Department of Health tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. Further laboratory analysis was unable to confirm the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in a sample of celery and onion diced blend produced by Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. that was collected from a Costco store in Montana. The ongoing investigation is working to identify which specific ingredient in the chicken salad is linked to illness. The celery and onion diced blend has not been ruled out as a source of the outbreak.

Taylor Fresh Foods subsequently recalled all products that may have included the affected celery. The company listed several celery-based products in the FDA recall, which affected other major retailers including 7-Eleven, Albertsons, King Sooper, Raleys, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Savemart, Starbucks, Target, Tonys, Vons and Walmart.