Taco Bell Pulls Green Onions After E. Coli Test

Dec 7, 2006 2:11 PM

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. - In response to the multi-state E. coli outbreak surrounding its restaurants in three states, Taco Bell has voluntarily pulled green onions from its 5,800 units yesterday after preliminary tests by an independent laboratory hired by the fast-food provider found three samples likely contaminated with a dangerous strain of the bacteria. Taco Bell closed nine restaurants earlier this week in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania after more than three dozen people who claimed to have eaten at the units in question became ill. Though health officials have not yet determined the source of the outbreak, the restaurants were poised to reopen since the last reported case occurred on Nov. 29, and the danger of infection appears to have passed, according to authorities and company officials.