Food product – likely salad ingredient – not yet identified.

The Minnesota Department of Health on Thursday released a list of nine Applebee’s locations linked to a recent outbreak of E. coli.

People infected with the bacteria have reported eating at Applebee’s restaurants in Bemidji, Blaine (two locations), Duluth, Roseville, Willmar, Woodbury, Monticello and New Hope, the Health Department says.

The outbreak caused by the O111 form of the bacteria was first reported July 14. Fifteen cases have been reported so far, with 12 infected people confirmed to have eaten at Applebee’s between June 23 and 29.

Investigators from Health Department and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are working to identify a food item associated with the outbreak.

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