All News / Outbreaks /

Sodexho (Sequoias Retirement Center) E. coli Outbreak

In October, 2003, the San Mateo County Health Services Agency commenced an investigation of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak among residents and employees of The Sequoias Portola Valley retirement community in San Mateo County. The SMCHSA ultimately linked thirteen confirmed and three probable cases of E. coli O157:H7. Ten persons were hospitalized, and three people died.

The SMCHSA's investigation concluded that the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak and infections were associated with the consumption of food, most likely raw spinach, by the outbreak victims. The food was prepared and served to the facility residents by Sodexho, as a component of meals it prepared and served to residents.

Marler Clark has filed two lawsuits on behalf of victims of this outbreak.

Get Help

Affected by an outbreak or recall?

The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more.

Get a free consultation
Related Resources
E. coli Food Poisoning

What is E. coli and how does it cause food poisoning? Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a highly studied, common species of bacteria that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae, so...

E. coli O157:H7

E. coli O157:H7 is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 is the most commonly identified and the most notorious Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serotype in...

Non-O157 STEC

Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli can also cause food poisoning. E. coli O157:H7 may be the most notorious serotype of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), but there are at least...

Sources of E. coli

Where do E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) come from? The primary reservoirs, or ultimate sources, of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC in nature are...

Transmission of and Infection with E. coli

While many dairy cattle-associated foodborne disease outbreaks are linked to raw milk and other raw dairy products (e.g., cheeses, butter, ice cream), dairy cattle still represent a source of contamination...

Outbreak Database

Looking for a comprehensive list of outbreaks?

The team at Marler Clark is here to answer all your questions. Find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit, what questions to ask your doctor, and more.

View Outbreak Database