The Times-Tribune reports that the Taco Bell E. coli outbreak was not the first outbreak to be traced to tainted produce, and will probably not be the last, according to the CDC and other health officials.
While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has declared the Taco Bell-associated outbreak over and the company says its food is safe, health officials acknowledge another E. coli outbreak somewhere is just a matter of time.
“If there is something good about something like this, it’s that it helps us improve and prepare for the next one,” said Chris Ryder, spokesman for the state Department of Agriculture.
The Taco Bell chain and Yum! Brands are facing multiple E. coli lawsuits, and produce companies like Natural Selections Foods, whose spinach was the source of a large E. coli outbreak earlier this year, are facing similar litigation.