Taco John's to Use New Produce Vendor

14/12/06 Approximately 100 Taco John's franchises in the Midwest will be using a new produce vendor starting as soon as today as an extreme precautionary response to reports of potential E. coli contamination at three of the franchise locations, one in Iowa and two in Minnesota, that used a common vendor. The reminder of the Taco John's system utilizes other produce vendors.

"While food samples continue to be analyzed by health departments in both states, and two private laboratories with which we've contracted, we don't want to take any chances with the health of our customers," said Taco John's president and CEO, Paul Fisherkeller. "Once the cause of the illnesses is pinpointed, we can take more targeted action. Since produce is the most common carrier of E. coli, we'd rather be aggressively proactive and replace a possible source."

The company has not been given any specific reason to suspect its current source of produce for that group of franchises, Fisherkeller noted. Taco John's has been told to expect laboratory results from the Black Hawk County Health Department in Iowa and the Minnesota Department of Health on December 14, when it also expects results back from its independent labs.

"We continue to pray for the speedy recovery of all that have fallen ill, and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones," said Fisherkeller.

The company provided this updated chronology of events for the public's information:

* Tuesday, November 28-- The first illness was reported to the Black Hawk County Health Department.

*  Wednesday, December 6 -- The Department contacted Taco John's indicating that some (not all) of those who were sick had eaten at the Taco John's franchise at 6210 University Ave., Cedar Falls, IA. The same day, the Department conducted an inspection at that location. Immediately thereafter, Taco John's followed Department recommendations to replace all the food being used in the restaurant. The franchise was allowed to re-open an hour later and remains open. Taco John's notified Roma Foods, the primary supplier to franchisees in that region, of the issue and urged its management to double-check its own compliance, although Roma, like Taco John's, has an excellent health and safety record.

*  Thursday, December 7 -- One local newspaper reported that, "'More than a dozen people are hospitalized in Black Hawk County with an illness  that may be E. coli,' said Tom O'Rourke, director of the county health department. 'We are not ready to call it E. coli.'"

*  Friday, December 8 -- Another local paper quoted Tom O'Rourke as saying, "We have no reason to believe a threat still exists." The paper went on to say, "Taco John's, located at 6210 University Ave. remains open. Local health officials said the restaurant has fully cooperated with efforts to identify sick customers and ensure food safety."

*  Saturday, December 9 -- Company representatives phoned and e-mailed every owner and operator in the Taco John's system to alert them to this issue and to reinforce standards.

*  Monday, December 11 -- Taco John's took samples taken out of the Cedar Falls, IA restaurant for independent lab testing, and samples were also taken by the Black Hawk County Health Department for testing. The Black Hawk County Department of Health held a press briefing at which it indicated that the preliminary test results continue to indicate E. Coli 157, but that there had been no new cases since December 6. Taco John's was notified by the Minnesota Department of Health that it was investigating the illness of several patrons who had eaten at its Albert Lea franchise during the same period as those who fell ill in Iowa. The Albert Lea, MN restaurant was inspected by the Minnesota Department of Health, which concluded that it met all standards of serving safe food.

*  Tuesday, December 12 -- Taco John's Corporate representatives were on site in Albert Lea, MN; they inspected the restaurant and confirmed that it met all standards for serving safe food. The Minnesota Department of Health reports two possible new cases of E. coli in Albert Lea and two new cases in Austin, MN. The Austin restaurant was inspected by the Department of Health, which concluded restaurant meets all standards of serving safe food. Taco John's Corporate representatives inspected the restaurant and confirmed health department findings. The Department of Health took samples for testing from the Austin restaurant and Taco John's took samples for independent testing from both the Albert Lea and Austin restaurants. A teleconference was held with all Taco John's franchisees to reinforce all food safety procedures.

"We continue to work around the clock with the health departments to get to the root of this serious issue," concluded Fisherkeller.