Three people in Washington State have died and three others have been hospitalised after drinking milkshakes contaminated with Listeria at a popular burger restaurant.
The outbreak was linked to ice cream machines that had not been cleaned properly at a Frugals restaurant in Tacoma, Washington State, a release from the state’s health department said.
Listeria infection is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for the vulnerable, elderly and pregnant after consumption.
Its effects can be felt up to 70 days after the bacteria has been consumed and the machines were used until August 8, the release said.
The statement said: “Investigators found listeria in the ice cream machines, which were not cleaned correctly. No other Frugals restaurants are believed to be affected.
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“The restaurant stopped using its ice cream machines August 8, but listeria can sicken people up to 70 days later.”
One Frugals restaurant was impacted – located at 10727 Pacific Ave. S, Tacoma.
Frugals released a statement to say that it was “deeply saddened” by the news and cooperating with authorities.
The statement said: “We are heartbroken and deeply regret any harm our actions could have caused.
“We are committed to making any changes deemed necessary to maintain our high standard of operations and prevent this from happening again.”
The six individuals affected were all hospitalized between February 27 and July 22 and three died, the Washington Department of Health said.
Fever and muscle aches, headaches, confusion, and gastrointestinal problems are just some symptoms of Listeria.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes listeriosis as a “serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium listeria monocytogenes.”
“An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die,” it says on its website.
The health department said that no other Frugals restaurants are believed to be impacted but company executives shut down milkshake machines in other locations to ensure any further casualties.
The company said in a statement: “Out of an abundance of caution for our customers, we have also directed all milkshake machines in our other locations to be shut down and samples from these machines to be sent out for similar testing.
“Although not required by (the Pierce County Health Department), Frugals will also undergo enhanced cleaning, safety and sanitization procedures across all product categories and at all store locations.”
Customers who ate at the Frugals restaurant in Tacoma between May 29 and August 7 and are showing symptoms of Listeria are urged to contact a doctor, the health department said.
Daily Express US has contacted Frugals for comment.
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