Worldwide Restaurant Concepts, Inc. Reports Isolated Incidents of E. coli at Pat & Oscar's Restaurants

SHERMAN OAKS, Calif. -- Worldwide Restaurant Concepts, Inc. reports that its Pat & Oscar's division has been contacted by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) in connection with their investigation of several incidents of E. coli that have been reported in Southern California. While the exact source of the illness has not been pinpointed at this time, Pat & Oscar's is cooperating fully with all health agencies, including the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health and California Department of Health Services officials, to help determine the source of the E. coli infection.

The investigation is currently focused on food suppliers, as opposed to the restaurants themselves, and it appears that the suspected product is limited to pre-packaged and sanitized salad mix items. Effectively immediately, Pat & Oscar's has removed from its menus all products that are suspected of contamination. In the interim, the company has identified and sourced alternative vendors for the suspected products and expects to be serving all menu items in all restaurants by the close of business today.

Worldwide Restaurant Concepts is committed to the health and safety of all of its guests. As a precautionary measure, the company has undertaken a comprehensive review of all products served in all of its domestic operations and has determined that use of the products suspected of contamination is limited to its Pat & Oscar's restaurants.

Source: Worldwide Restaurant Concepts, Inc.