Outbreaks
Gold Coast Produce E. coli Outbreak
In late September and early October, 2003, health departments for the State of California and San Diego County began investigating an outbreak of E. coli infections, following reports of the illness from three area hospitals. Health department sources indicated then that the likely source of the outbreak was pre-mixed, pre-washed and packaged lettuce mix, and that those lettuce products had been voluntarily recalled.The News Release further stated that the lettuce product had been used by two school districts in San Diego County, Alpine Union School District and San Marcos Unified School District, as well as by a number of Pat & Oscar’s restaurants.
Health department agencies ultimately determined that over 50 persons in San Diego, Orange and Riverside Counties were victims of this outbreak tied to contaminated lettuce mix.
Outbreak Updates
- E. coli victims settling claims
- Lawsuit filed on behalf of Creekside Elementary student sick with E. coli
- Another E. coli victim files suit
- Two more Pat & Oscar's added to list as possible E. coli sites
- E. coli Lawsuit Filed
- Two school districts in county got tainted lettuce, officials say
- Food Safety Advocates Speak Out about E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak
- E. coli traced to Pat & Oscar's
- E. coli attorney calls on FDA to increase funding to make produce safe
- County looking into E. coli cases
