The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Friday that they are looking into an E. coli outbreak that has spread to multiple states and may be related to a particular brand of frozen falafel that is offered by the supermarket chain ALDI, The Hill reports.
According to the CDC, 20 persons have been identified as having the E. coli strain O121 infection across six states. One of the five patients who was hospitalized had the hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition that can result in kidney failure. There are no known fatalities.
Some six of the 15 ALDI shoppers who were questioned by the CDC and FDA claimed they had eaten Earth Grown frozen falafel in the week before their symptoms appeared. The CDC and FDA also found that 15 of the 18 persons they questioned were ALDI customers.
Due to the potential for E. coli contamination, ALDI withdrew Earth Grown brand vegan classic falafel and garlic & herb falafel on Friday off its shelves.
“Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting,” wrote the FDA in a statement.
Some 11 of the 20 people who have been diagnosed with E. coli live in Michigan, while the other four are spread across Wisconsin, Florida, Kansas, Iowa, and Ohio. Prior to getting withdrawn, the falafel was distributed in 38 states and the District of Columbia.
“CDC is advising people to not eat, sell, or serve recalled frozen falafel,” the agency said.
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