Casserole blamed for E. coli outbreak in Minneapolis

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April 5, 2000

Web posted at: 5:22 PM EDT (2122 GMT)

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Ground beef in an undercooked casserole caused an E.coli

outbreak that sickened 18 schoolchildren, and meat from the same batch may have

been served in school lunches elsewhere in the state, health officials said.

 

The outbreak was at Minneapolis' Risen Christ Catholic School, where a casserole

of ground beef, pasta and tomato sauce was served March 14, the state Health

Department said Tuesday. The students starting showing E.coli symptoms -- severe

or bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps -- between March 16 and March 20.

 

The Health Department confirmed six students were infected by the E.coli 0157:H7

strain and is awaiting test results on 12 other students.

 

Two of those sickened had to be hospitalized. All of the children are recovering

or have recovered, Health Department spokesman Buddy Ferguson said.

 

Meat containing E.coli may have been shipped to other Minnesota schools from

several processing plants since December, said Carol Blake, a spokeswoman for

the U.S. Food and Safety Inspection Service.

 

" It's possible that we may issue a recall of the meat, but we're not at that

stage yet, " she said.

 

Blake would not identify the processing plants.

 

 

http://www.cnn.com/2000/FOOD/news/04/05/ecoli.outbreak.ap/index.html

 

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