Taco John's drops vendor suspected of E. coli contamination

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Taco John's said 100 Midwestern franchises will be using a new produce vendor as a precautionary response to reports of potential E. coli contamination at three stores in Iowa and Minnesota. All three units used a common vendor.

 

According to a news release, the remainder of the Taco John's system utilizes other produce vendors.

 

"While food samples continue to be analyzed by health departments in both states and two private laboratories with which we've contracted, we don't want to take any chances with the health of our customers," said Paul Fisherkeller, Taco John's president and chief executive. "Once the cause of the illnesses is pinpointed, we can take more targeted action. Since produce is the most common carrier of E. coli, we'd rather be aggressively proactive and replace a possible source."

 

The company has not been given any specific reason to suspect its current source of produce for that group of franchises, Fisherkeller noted. Taco John's has been told to expect laboratory results from the Black Hawk County Health Department in Iowa and the Minnesota Department of Health on Dec. 14, when it also expects results back from its independent labs.

 

"We continue to pray for the speedy recovery of all that have fallen ill, and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones," said Fisherkeller.