Lettuce served in dishes prepared by a Wendy’s restaurant in Ogden, Utah, was the source of an E. coli outbreak in June of 2006. Following an investigation into an E. coli outbreak among attendees of a CORE Academy luncheon held at Orion Junior High School in Harrisville, Utah, on June 30, the Weber-Morgan Health Department (WMHD) announced that four people had become ill with E. coli O121:H19 infections after eating iceberg lettuce prepared at the Wendy’s restaurant located at 2500 N 400 E in North Ogden, Utah. WMHD announced that three of the four people who were confirmed ill with E. coli infections after eating the food prepared by Wendy’s had developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
WMHD’s investigation into the E. coli outbreak revealed that more than 300 people were potentially exposed to E. coli at the CORE Academy luncheon. Two individuals who ate salads at the CORE luncheon were confirmed ill with E. coli; one developed HUS. Further investigation revealed that one ill individual consumed hamburgers purchased at the Wendy’s restaurant on June 27, 28, and 29 and also developed HUS.
Marler Clark filed a lawsuit against Wendy’s on August 11, 2006. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a family who became ill with E. coli infections after the mother attended the CORE Academy conference in Harrisville and became ill. One child was hospitalized with HUS. The firm also represented two women who became ill with E. coli infections and HUS and suffered acute kidney failure. All of these claims have been resolved.