Produce is likely culprit in Illinois Subway Salmonella outbreak

Produce is likely the source of a Salmonella poisoning outbreak affecting numerous Subway restaurants in Illinois.

We’ve reported for weeks on the growing number of Salmonella poisoning cases linked to these restaurants. According to a recent report from The Packer, a produce industry magazine, 71 people have now been tied to the outbreak.

Seven people remain hospitalized from their symptoms, and the latest reported hospitalization linked to this outbreak was May 30, according to an Illinois Dept. of Health official. Ages of victims range in age from 2 to 88.

Four produce items were removed from Subway restaurants in 22 Illinois counties: lettuce, green peppers, red onions and tomatoes. These items were replaced at each of the restaurants and health officials continue to investigate the distributors of that produce.

People who ate at Subway restaurants from May 11 to May 25 could be at risk for Salmonella poisoning, though symptoms likely would have presented themselves at this point.

A total of 26 of the 71 confirmed cases have required hospitalization.