US economy grows at 2.1 percent rate

US economy grows at 2.1 percent rate

WASHINGTON

The U.S. economy grew at a slightly faster rate in the summer than previously reported, mainly because businesses restocked their goods at a stronger pace than first thought.

The overall economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, grew at an annual rate of 2.1 percent in the July-September period, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. It previously estimated growth of 1.5 percent.

Even with the revision, economic growth slowed sharply from a 3.9 percent gain in the second quarter. The economy then was rebounding from a harsh winter that had sapped first- quarter growth to a barely discernible 0.6 percent pace.

The latest numbers, however, should give the Federal Reserve confidence as it considers an interest-rate hike at its next meeting in December.

E. coli outbreak tied to Costco food

SEATTLE

Nineteen people in seven states, including Montana, Utah and Colorado, have contracted E. coli in an outbreak linked to chicken salad bought at Costco, federal health officials said Tuesday.

People who bought chicken salad at any U.S. Costco store on or before Friday were advised to throw it away, even if no one has gotten sick.

The strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli can be life-threatening, but no deaths have been reported in the current outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said five people have been hospitalized and two have developed a type of kidney failure.

Six people have become ill in Montana, five in Utah, four in Colorado and one each in California, Missouri, Virginia and Washington state. The CDC said the illness reports began Oct. 6 and involved people age 5 to 84.

Associated Press