An E.coli outbreak has sickened eight people who ate at three Denver area Jimmy John’s locations, Fox 31 news has reported. Some of those sickened have been hospitalized, including a teenager whose friends told the station about the outbreak.
Colorado health officials have not found the food item that caused the outbreak, although they strongly suspect it was produce served on the sandwiches.
“Restaurants are legally responsible for illnesses caused by their food,” said attorney Fred Pritzker, who recently won $4.5 million for an E. coli patient who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that causes kidney failure and other medical problems. Pritzker says he and his Bad Bug Law Team have won many cases against restaurants where the food source was not found.
Health authorities believe that contaminated produce was delivered to the stores and then served to customers the Jimmy John’s stores between October 7th and 15th. The E.coli illnesses were reported to authorities between October 18th and 22nd. They do not believe the threat is ongoing and the restaurants remain open. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting a traceback investigation to determine the origin of the outbreak.
An E.coli outbreak in April 2012 that sickened 29 people in 11 states was linked to clover sprouts served at Jimmy John’s. Health officials have not said whether sprouts are a possible food source of this outbreak.
E.coli causes abdominal cramping and diarrhea that can be watery or bloody. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should see a doctor.
