Tainted veggies recalled after Costco outbreak

A Tracy farm is recalling packages of diced onion and celery after the blend was linked to an outbreak of E. coli that has sickened at least 19 people in seven states, federal officials announced today.

Taylor Farms Pacific, Inc. is recalling items sold at 7-Eleven, Costco, Target, Safeway, Albertsons, Raleys, Starbucks and Walmart, among other outlets, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The recall occurred after a test conducted by the state of Montana found the celery and onions tested positive for E. coli. The celery and onions were used in a Costco Rotisserie Chicken Salad that has been linked to the E. coli outbreak.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, as of Nov. 23 19 people have been infected from seven states, mostly in the west, Of those, five have been hospitalized and two have developed kidney failure, but none have died.

E. coli O157:H7 is a bacteria that causes diarrhea and bloody stools. Most healthy adults can recover within a week but the illness can cause more serious kidney damage in young children and the elderly and even led to death.

A complete list of recalled items can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm474601.htm