At least 94 people, including 23 who were hospitalized, were included in the case-count of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was traced to the Federico's restaurant in Litchfield Park, Arizona, in late July and early August of 2013.
Federico's Mexican Restaurant was scheduled to reopen on Monday, August 5, 2013--the same day an E. coli lawsuit was filed against the restaurant by the Seattle-based Marler Clark law firm. The firm has since filed additional lawsuits against Federico's.
Food samples from the restaurant were collected for testing by the Maricopa County Health Department. The E. coli outbreak investigation concluded in November, with lettuce being implicated as the source. According to the health department report, lettuce may have been cross-contaminated from another food or the restaurant may have received a small, highly contaminated batch of lettuce.