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More E. coli cases linked to Glenview soy nut butter company; 16 people sick

Chicago Tribune - 3/8/2017

March 08--Four more illnesses were reported in the E. Coli outbreak linked to Glenview-based SoyNut Butter Co. products, bringing the current total to 16, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday.

No infections have been reported in Illinois as of Wednesday morning. Illnesses linked to the outbreak have been identified in Arizona, California, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Half of the 16 people infected were hospitalized and five developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure, according to the CDC. Fourteen of the people are under the age of 18.

On Tuesday afternoon, SoyNut Butter expanded its recall Tuesday to include all I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter products and all I.M. Healthy Granola products.

A California couple filed a lawsuit Monday against the company in federal court in Chicago, alleging liability and negligence among other charges, after their 8-year-son was allegedly infected with E. coli and hospitalized after consuming the soy nut butter.

In a news release on the company website, SoyNut Butter mentions but does not explicitly name a contract manufacturer.

"For over 20 years, the SoyNut Butter Co. has tried to make nut free products that help those with allergies eat like everyone else. Likewise, we chose our contract manufacturer because of their integrity and knowledge of food safety and quality. Unfortunately, we feel that (it) is better to be cautious regarding public safety and urge our customers to heed the expanded recall," the company said in the release.

The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration continue to investigate the outbreak.

gtrotter@chicagotribune.com

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