10298684_10152794480259144_870828925358065408_n.0.0Pizza Ranch desserts have been linked to E. coli O157:H7 food poisonings in nine states.

The outbreak started in December, mainly among people who had eaten at the Iowa-based chain’s restaurants.  The CDC reports that 13 people were sickened in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, South Dakota and Wisconsin . Nine of the people said they recently had eaten at Pizza Ranches.  Two children, in Kansas and Nebraska, suffered kidney failure (hemolytic uremic syndrome – HUS) and had to be hospitalized.

The investigation has focused on a dry dough mix used to make desserts.