Why did the Costco Mexican rolls cause food poisoning?

E. coli O157 contamination likely occurred during preparation, possibly due to inadequate heating or cross-contamination.

Who was affected by this incident?

Five people aged 7 to 49, all of whom consumed the Mexican rolls at the Nagoya store.

How many products were sold?

939 boxes from the batch produced between late May and June 1 were sold in two days.

What actions have been taken?

Consumers are urged not to eat the product, and the store's kitchen has been ordered to halt operations.

How dangerous is E. coli O157?

It can cause hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), especially in children, requiring hospitalization.

E. coli Detected in Costco's Mexican Rolls in Japan, 5 Poisoned, 3 Hospitalized, 1 Critical

Published Jun 16, 2026 5:41 PM ・ Updated Jun 20, 2026 12:32 AM ・ 3 min read ・ Source: CNA (Central News Agency)

Mexican rolls sold at the Costco warehouse store in Nagoya, Japan, were found to contain E. coli O157, causing five cases of food poisoning. One child developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and remains in critical condition.

According to reports by Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting (CBC) and Japan's TBS Television, Nagoya City's health department announced that five individuals, aged between 7 and 49, reported symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain after consuming food prepared at the 'Costco Moriyama Warehouse Store' in Moriyama Ward, Nagoya.

All five had eaten 'Mexican Rolls' manufactured and sold between late May and June 1. Tests confirmed the presence of enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157 in all patients. The 'Mexican Roll' is a thin flatbread wrap made with wheat tortillas filled with ingredients such as bacon and lettuce.

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare warned that toxins produced by E. coli O157 can cause severe symptoms including abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody stool, and may lead to life-threatening complications or death.

Three of the five affected customers were hospitalized; two have since been discharged. However, one elementary school-aged boy developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Reports indicate that 939 boxes of the implicated Mexican rolls were sold within just two days. Nagoya City's health authorities have classified this as a food poisoning incident, urging consumers who purchased the product not to consume it. Yesterday, the store's kitchen was ordered to suspend operations immediately.

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Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
Category: Taiwan
Organizations: Costco

E. coli Detected in Costco's Mexican Rolls in Japan, 5 Poisoned, 3 Hospitalized, 1 Critical

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