Negative Test Result Does Not Get Andre’s Catering Off the Hook in St. Louis E. coli Outbreak

A negative test result on lettuce samples does not get Andre’s catering off the hook in the St. Louis E. coli outbreak that has sickened over 100 people, says Department of Health.

Despite the samples obtained from unopened packages of iceberg lettuce collected at Andre’s Catering facility testing negative, significant epidemiological data still points to the catering company as the likely source.

St. Louis E. coli Outbreak Associated with Andre’s Banquet and Catering

Several events taking place in early November have been associated with the St. Louis E. coli outbreak that has sickened an estimated 106 attendees.

What do two school band events, two funerals, and a veteran’s event have in common?

In this case, they were all catered by the same company. Andre’s Banquet and Catering.

Health Officials Say Negative Test Result in St. Louis E. coli Outbreak Does Not Rule Out Caterer

Tests performed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on an unopened package of iceberg lettuce collected at Andre’s Banquet Center revealed no E. coli results.

However, health officials say these results may not be evidence of the bigger picture.

“A negative test result for the lettuce does not conclusively rule out the salad as the source of the E. coli outbreak,” the St. Louis County Health Department said. “This is because bacteria like E. coli often occur in isolated pockets within food products, making it possible for a sampling event to miss the pathogen entirely.”

Given this possibility, “a negative test result for the lettuce does not necessarily indicate the absence of the bacteria or eliminate Andre’s as a potential source.”

Investigators Look at All Aspects of the Situation

Food samples and patient test results are only one part of the St. Louis E. coli outbreak investigation. Investigators look at all aspects of the situation to help find the source.

“While testing the lettuce is a critical element of the investigation, it represents just one piece of a larger puzzle,” the health department said.

Investigators cite common factors in this St. Louis E. coli outbreak investigation.

“The most compelling evidence comes from the epidemiological findings: dozens of individuals with consistent, clinically compatible symptoms, all linked by a single common factor- exposure to a salad from Andre’s. This shared exposure is highly significant and remains the strongest link to the outbreak, regardless of whether a specific contaminated ingredient is identified through testing.”

For this reason, neither the local or state health departments have cleared Andre’s Banquet and Catering of this outbreak. Health officials are still saying that they believe the outbreak came from salad provided by Andre’s Banquet and Catering.

Andre’s Owner Issues Statement

Following results of tests performed on the lettuce sample, Andre’s owner, John Armengol Jr. released a statement.

“While I am relieved to learn of the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory’s negative test results, I will continue to cooperate with the state and local health departments as they no work to determine the source of E. coli that has caused illnesses in the region and which has resulted in individuals who did not attend any events affiliated with Andre’s contracting E. coli.”

Symptoms to Look Out for in This St. Louis E. coli Outbreak

The symptoms of E. coli infections can vary from mild to severe. Most people begin feeling sick around three to four days after exposure. However, some may begin feeling sick as early as one day. Other may take as long as 10 days or more after eating contaminated food to feel sick.

Symptoms to look out for:

• Severe stomach cramps
• Diarrhea (often bloody)
• Vomiting
• Fever less than 101° F (not always)

People generally recover from E. coli infections within about a week (five to seven days). However, some people may experience other complications. The elderly, young children, and those with a weakened immune system may experience more severe symptoms or develop a serious complication.

This happened to at least two people in this outbreak.

Two People Have Developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome So Far in St. Louis E. coli Outbreak

Local hospitals have reported at least two people have developed a serious and life-threatening complication of E. coli so far.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome, also known as HUS, is a rare, but serious health condition that can develop after becoming sick with a toxin-producing bacteria. The strain of bacteria associated with the St. Louis E. coli outbreak.

This happens when toxins rupture blood cells that clog the filtering aspects of the kidney. This can result in kidney failure and cause other downstream negative health effects.

Those experiencing HUS symptoms require hospitalization to recover.

Symptoms to look out for include decreased urination, paleness in cheeks and inside of lower eyelids, and fatigue.

If you have been sick with symptoms consistent with E. coli infection and begin experiencing these HUS symptoms, get medical help right away!

Common HUS symptoms include decreased urination, paleness in cheeks and the inside of lower eyelids, and fatigue.

Have You Been Impacted by This Andre’s Banquet and Catering St. Louis E. coli Outbreak and Wish to Make a Legal Claim?

If you have been impacted by this Andre’s Banquet and Catering St. Louis E. coli outbreak and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help!

The experienced E. coli Lawyers at The Lange Law Firm, PLLC have successfully represented cases just like yours and won millions of dollars in foodborne contaminations lawsuits just like this. The firm is already entrusted to represent patients in this outbreak, and they can help you too!

Have questions about what to do in your situation? The burdens of dealing with foodborne illness go well beyond recovering from the illness. Medical bill, missed work, long-term health problems. These factors add up.

Contact The Lange Law Firm, PLLC today for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation. Call (833) 330-3663 or fill out the online submission form today.

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)