IRVINE, Calif. -- Taco Bell Corp. announced yesterday that it has removed green onions at all of its approximately 5,800 restaurants nationwide. The move is strictly a precautionary effort following recent E.coli 0157:H7 outbreaks believed to be linked to several of its restaurants in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.
The company has been working with state and county health department officials in these three states, along with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to determine the cause [image-nocss] of this issue.
While tests are preliminary and not yet conclusive, three samples of green onions were found to be presumptive positive for E. coli 0157:H7 by an independent testing laboratory engaged by Taco Bell. Upon learning of the presumptive positive results, the company took immediate action by notifying health authorities and its restaurants. State health officials are conducting their own testing and Taco Bell is awaiting final analysis from this ingredient testing.
In an abundance of caution, we've decided to pull all green onions from our restaurants until we know conclusively whether they are the cause of the E.coli outbreak, said Greg Creed, Taco Bell president. Taco Bell's first concern is the health and safety of our customers and employees. We have been working closely with state health authorities to establish the root cause of this issue. Based on the preliminary test results we received late last night, the company did not want to wait and took immediate action to safeguard public health.
Taco Bell is owned by Louisville, Ky.-based Yum! Brands Inc., along with the KFC, Pizza Hut, A&W or Long John Silver's brands. The company recentlyannounced a reorganization, which was effective December 1, to its U.S. business to better leverage its scale and strengthen brand building, operations and development across its entire domestic portfolio of brands.
Emil Brolick, 59, was appointed president of U.S. brand building, a newly created role; and Peter Hearl, 55, appointed Yum! Brands chief operating and development officer, a newly combined role. Both officers report directly to David C. Novak, Yum! Brands chairman and CEO.
Also, the company appointed Greg Creed, 49, president of Taco Bell Corp., replacing Brolick; and Scott Bergren, 60, president of Pizza Hut Inc., replacing Hearl. Gregg Dedrick, 48, president of KFC Corp., will continue in his current role. All three domestic brand presidents will now report to Brolick.
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