EAST LANSING, Mich., Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Shipments of iceberg lettuce identified as a source of E. coli illnesses in Illinois have been stopped, a produce supplier said.
Aunt Mid's Produce Co. halted shipments of the contaminated lettuce believed to be associated with some of 26 cases of the illness, The Detroit News reported Saturday.
The supplier shipped bags of shredded or chopped iceberg lettuce to restaurants and institutions. Officials say they believe contaminated lettuce was not sent to store shelves,the newspaper reported.
"We are going to have to take a step back and make sure everything is proper. We are taking this seriously," said Aunt Mid's Chief Executive Officer Philip Riggio.
The source of lettuce delivered to Aunt Mid's had yet to be identified.
The Michigan Department of Community Health said 26 cases of genetically linked E. coli were reported in eight Michigan counties. The same strain has been identified in cases in Illinois, New York, Ohio and Oregon.
Eight Michigan State University students were hospitalized with E. coli 0157:H7.
