As the number of confirmed E. Coli cases in Minnesota rises, according to the State Deaprtment of Health, Applebee’s is making attempts to win back customers by making changes.
Both sides in the investigation into an outbreak into a rare strain of the bacterial infection made announcements Thursday on progress. MDH said two more people have been diagnosed with the “food poisoning,” raising the number of cases statewide to 15.
Meanwhile, with clearance from the MDH, Applebee’s has voluntarily changed suppliers in order to reintroduce the Oriental Chicken Salad to the menu at restaurants throughout Minnesota on Friday.
In addition, Applebee’s restaurants in Minnesota will reintroduce green cabbage, shredded carrots, almonds and rice noodles to all items across the menu.
Applebee’s restaurants outside of Minnesota continue to operate with an unmodified menu.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture continue to investigate the E. coli O111 outbreak first reported on Monday, July 14, looking to identify a food item that is the source of the illnesses.
Since the initial announcement on Monday, MDH epidemiologists confirmed two more cases of E. coli O111 infection matching the genetic fingerprint of the bacteria associated with the initial cases. This increases the total number of Minnesota cases to 15. MDH has been able to conduct interviews for 14 of the 15 cases. Through these interviews, investigators confirmed that 12 of the ill people ate at an Applebee’s location in Minnesota between June 23 and June 29.
With this new information, the updated list of Applebee’s locations where ill people reported having eaten is as follows:
- Blaine (two locations)
- Duluth
- Roseville
- Willmar
- Woodbury
- Monticello
- Bemidji
- New Hope
No additional details are available regarding specific ingredients, but the Minnesota Department of Agriculture continues to trace back ingredients to suppliers and points of origin looking for a common source.