### Iceberg Lettuce Cleared in St. Louis County E. Coli Outbreak Investigation

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – In a significant development regarding the recent E. coli outbreak that has affected over 100 people, test results released on Friday have eliminated iceberg lettuce as a potential source. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services conducted tests on an unopened package of iceberg lettuce from Andre's Banquet Center, which did not detect any traces of E. coli.

The outbreak resulted in illness for approximately 106 attendees of multiple events, including two school band gatherings, two funerals, and a veterans event, all catered by Andre's Banquet Center. Despite the absence of E. coli in the tested lettuce, health officials caution that this does not definitively rule out the lettuce or the catering service as sources of the contamination. They noted that bacteria such as E. coli can exist in isolated pockets within food, meaning a sampling may not always capture the presence of the bacteria.

Hospitals in the county have reported that two individuals developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe condition associated with E. coli infections. HUS can affect the kidneys and blood clotting system, posing a risk of kidney failure.

John Armengol Jr., the owner of Andre's Banquet Center, expressed relief at the negative test results but pledged to continue cooperating with health authorities to pinpoint the outbreak's source. Armengol emphasized his commitment to helping determine how individuals who attended events not affiliated with Andre's also contracted E. coli.

Meanwhile, the catering company faces legal action. Three parents of high school students and an adult who attended one of the catered events have filed lawsuits, all claiming they fell ill from E. coli after consuming food served by Andre's.

The investigation into the source of the E. coli outbreak continues, as health officials seek to understand how the pathogen spread and ensure no further cases arise.