According to Spencer Kent of NJ.com, Health officials have confirmed that they are investigating a Panera Bread in Phillipsburg, Warren County, as a potential source E. coli exposure.

Several E. coli cases were reported Thursday by the state Department of Health in four counties, including Hunterdon, Middlesex, Somerset and Warren.

“The Warren County Health Department and state Health Department are investigating a cluster of E. coli cases” potentially from “local Panera Breads,” said Sarah Perramant, public health epidemiologist in Warren County.

Perramant said the Phillipsburg-based Panera Bread was the one primarily being investigated.

But, she emphasized that health officials had not concretely determined Panera as the source, adding that the matter remains under investigation.

A manager at the Phillipsburg Panera declined to comment and referred all inquiries to the company’s corporate headquarters.

Panera’s corporate office, located in Sunset Hills, Missouri, did not return an emailed request seeking comment on Thursday.

Marler Clark, The Food Safety Law Firm, is the nation’s leading law firm representing victims of E. coli outbreaks and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The E. coli lawyers of Marler Clark have represented thousands of victims of E. coli and other foodborne illness infections and have recovered over $650 million for clients. Marler Clark is the only law firm in the nation with a practice focused exclusively on foodborne illness litigation.  Our E. coli lawyers have litigated E. coli and HUS cases stemming from outbreaks traced to ground beef, raw milk, lettuce, spinach, sprouts, and other food products.  The law firm has brought E. coli lawsuits against such companies as Jack in the Box, Dole, ConAgra, Cargill, and Jimmy John’s.  We have proudly represented such victims as Brianne Kiner, Stephanie Smith and Linda Rivera.

If you or a family member became ill with an E. coli infection or HUS after consuming food and you’re interested in pursuing a legal claim, contact the Marler Clark E. coli attorneys for a free case evaluation.