Starbucks recalls sandwiches due to celery linked to E. coli

Following traces of E. coli linked to Chipotle and Costco, another popular chain has now been added to the list — Starbucks. 

Although no illnesses have been reported, Starbucks has pulled its holiday turkey panini sandwiches from 1,347 U.S. locations in Nevada, California and Oregon, a spokeswoman for the Seattle-based corporation told Bloomberg.

It is believed that celery included in the panini’s cranberry corn bread stuffing is linked to the same batch of celery that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified as the likely cause of the E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 19 people across seven states. 

After health officials first found the bacteria in the celery and onion blend of Costco’s chicken salad, the distributor, Taylor Farms Pacific Inc., recalled several celery products including Starbucks paninis.  

The recall of Starbucks and Costco products comes after at least 45 customers have reported being sickened by Chipotle Mexican Grill. However, health officials are still working to identify the tained ingredient causing the Chipotle E. coli outbreak.

Contact Caitlin Lilly at clilly@reviewjournal.com. FInd her on Twitter: @caitiesmith