The Minnesota Department of Health is investigating 13 cases of E. coli O111 in the state, which they believe have been caused by a “widely distributed food item.” Seven of the 13 cases reported eating at Applebee’s restaurants in the state between June 24 and 27, though the other six cases have no apparent connection to the restaurant chain. Applebee’s restaurants in Minnesota have fully complied with the health investigation, removing their oriental chicken salad and related ingredients from menus as a cautionary measure. Health officials have not determined the exact source of the outbreak and have not suggested that anything from Applebee’s is the cause. Symptoms of E. coli O111 infection include stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea, which can be bloody in severe infections. Minnesota health officials are asking anyone who believes they fell ill with an E. coli infection and ate at an Applebee’s restaurant after June 20 to contact a healthcare provider and inform them of their possible connection to this outbreak.
The News Desk team at Food Safety News covers breaking developments, regulatory updates, recalls, and key topics shaping food safety today. These articles are produced collaboratively by our editorial staff.
This is part 1 of a 3-part series.
An unlicensed meat producer and poor hygiene at a restaurant played a role in a Salmonella outbreak in an Australian state,
Almost 500 people were sick in a major E. coli outbreak in Germany in 2025, according to recently released figures from a regional State Office for Health and Social Affairs.
The root cause of a large E. coli outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2024 remains unknown with authorities warning a re-emergence is possible.
Almost 300 people fell ill
Researchers in Japan have been unable to pinpoint the contamination route of a large outbreak that sickened more than 170 people.
In June 2022, 171 of 934 people suffered mainly
Berlin Seeds, of Millersburg, OH, is recalling 950 pounds of alfalfa sprouting seed because the seed has the potential to be contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and/or
Star Meat Delivery Inc. of Lucama, NC, is recalling 167,639 pounds of raw pork, beef and goat products that were produced without federal inspection and bearing labels with a
Wakefern Food Corp. is recalling Wholesome Pantry Organic Unsweetened Apple Sauce after routine FDA testing identified elevated patulin levels that exceed food safety limits.
Patulin is a naturally occurring substance
