On October 8, 2003, the San Diego County Health Department issued a News Release, announcing that sixteen cases had been reported in San Diego County, and four more in Orange County. Health department sources indicated that the overwhelming majority of persons involved in the E. coli outbreak had consumed salads at various Pat & Oscar’s restaurants in San Diego and Orange Counties. The health department concluded that the likely source of the outbreak was pre-mixed, pre-washed and packaged lettuce mix used in Pat & Oscar’s salads. 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.
Subsequent investigations by the health agencies confirmed that the E. coli-contaminated lettuce had been produced by Gold Coast Produce, and distributed by F.T. Produce, Inc., d/b/a “Family Tree Produce,” to a number of different restaurants operated by Pat & Oscar’s.
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.
Marler Clark's E. coli lawyers resolved the cases of 25 clients the firm represented in E. coli claims against Pat & Oscar's and F.T. Produce.
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You can read more about the Gold Coast Produce and Pat & Oscar's E. coli outbreak on the Marler Clark-sponsored site about E. coli.