Further testing can't confirm E coli in Costco salad parts

SEATTLE (AP) -- Federal officials say further testing was unable to confirm the presence of E. coli in the onions and celery used to make chicken salad at Costco warehouses across the country.

But the Montana public health officials who did the initial testing say that doesn't mean their earlier findings were invalid.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a news release on Tuesday that the onion and celery mix from Taylor Farms Pacific has not been ruled out as the source of the E. coli outbreak that made 19 people sick in seven states and sent five people to the hospital.

Taylor Farms has subsequently recalled the vegetable mix from Costco and other retailers.