MINNEAPOLIS — Multiple people are sick after eating hamburgers from Twin Cities restaurants in the past few weeks, and now the Minnesota Department of Health wants people to be aware of the symptoms and get help if they fall ill.
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, there have been 10 cases identified so far of E. coli infection, with two people being hospitalized.
Most of the cases stem from people eating burgers at various Red Cow locations. Red Cow is a table-service restaurant chain in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Olmsted counties.
There has also been one E. coli case linked to a person dining at Hen House Eatery in Minneapolis, which health officials say gets the same ground beef as Red Cow. There could be additional E. coli infections from other locations that use the same ground beef, the health dept. said in a press release.
"Symptoms of illness caused by E. coli O157 typically include stomach cramps and diarrhea, often with bloody stools, but only a low-grade or no fever," health officials said in the news release. "People typically become ill two to five days after exposure, but this period can range from one to eight days. Most people recover in five to 10 days. However, about 5% of E. coli O157 infections lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that involves acute kidney failure and other severe problems. Treatment with fluids can help prevent HUS, but E. coli O157 gastroenteritis should not be treated with antibiotics, which can increase the likelihood of HUS."
Anyone who had a hamburger, especially undercooked, at a table-service restaurant in the metro area since Oct. 31 and experienced symptoms is encouraged to contact their health provider.
So far, officials say the people who are sick reported meal dates between Oct. 31 and Nov. 7.
Red Cow and Hen House Eatery owners are fully cooperating with the investigation and have made multiple changes, including product changes, to prevent further illnesses, the health dept. said in the press release.
The Minnesota Department of Health, along with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and other local environmental health agencies, are investigating.
Red Cow sent KARE 11 the following statement:
At Red Cow, the health and safety of our guests is our top priority. We were informed by the Minnesota Department of Health that cases of E. coli have potentially been traced to a Wolverine ground beef product sourced through US Foods that we previously used in the restaurants.
In response, we took immediate action to work with public health officials to remove the suspected product from our restaurants and have removed the producers from our supply chain. Red Cow is no longer serving the ground beef that was identified as the potential source. In addition to the product-producer changes.
There are approximately 61 other restaurants that purchased the product, in containing this outbreak. We ask anyone experiencing symptoms to contact the Minnesota Department of Health and seek proper medical attention.
Health inspectors were on-site immediately, and all locations passed inspection. No closures were required due to the source of the outbreak being a product-related issue. All of our locations have been thoroughly disinfected and sanitized following Department of Health standards to ensure our environment is safe for all our guests and team members.
We want to assure our guests that we’ve removed any products identified by the Department of Health and, out of an abundance of caution, have switched suppliers to provide an even safer dining experience. Your trust means everything to us, and we’re fully committed to serving you delicious, safe food every day.