CEDAR FALLS Iowa The E. coli outbreak involving Taco John’s units here and in Minnesota has been linked to lettuce, according to local press reports. The findings mark the second time in two days the leafy vegetable has been cited as the cause of widespread bacterial infections among restaurant patrons.
Meanwhile, the parents of a 9-year-old girl who was sickened after eating in the franchised Taco John’s outlet here have sued franchisor Taco John’s International, presumably for alleged negligence.
Autumn Saul is one of more than 50 people who got sick after eating in that unit and two franchises in Minnesota, in the towns of Austin and Albert Lea. Both are close to Minnesota’s border with Iowa.
On Wednesday, Taco John’s said it had changed its produce supplier for restaurants in that area.
Cheyenne, Wyo.-based Taco John’s International operates or franchises about 430 restaurants.