State issues final report on Subway salmonella

SPRINGFIELD — State health officials say they have traced a widespread salmonella outbreak at Subway restaurants to a food distributor based in Lincoln.

But in its 69-page final report on the incident, the Illinois Department of Public Health said Thursday it could not identify the exact source of the problem. The outbreak at the sandwich shops led to 109 confirmed salmonella cases and some 90 probable or suspected cases between late April and June.

The department told the (Bloomington) Pantagraph that investigators believe the most likely source of the lettuce, tomatoes and olives linked to the illness was Lincoln-based Sysco Central Illinois Inc., which delivered produce to the affected restaurants.

But samples collected at Sysco's distribution facility in June after many of the victims had already contracted the illness were tested and found negative for salmonella.