Inadequately cleaned ice cream machines at a burger establishment in Washington were identified as the source of a listeria outbreak earlier this year, resulting in six individuals being hospitalized, three of whom succumbed to the illness. Two of the hospitalized individuals informed investigators that they had consumed milkshakes from the same restaurant prior to falling ill.
The Washington State Department of Health has reported the discovery of the identical strain of listeria in ice cream machines at a Frugals restaurant located in Tacoma, Washington. This strain was responsible for the foodborne listeriosis outbreak that led to the hospitalization of six individuals earlier in the year. The affected individuals, ranging from 40 to 70 years old, had preexisting health conditions that heightened their vulnerability to the disease.
There is no indication of other Frugals restaurants being affected, and the Tacoma location ceased using its two ice cream machines on August 8th. However, it's important to note that listeria has the potential to incubate for up to 70 days before causing illness. The health department's news release revealed that listeria bacteria was detected in all the various milkshake flavors offered at the Frugals restaurant.
While most individuals exposed to listeria-contaminated food may not experience severe symptoms, the department advises pregnant women, individuals aged 65 or older, and those with weakened immune systems to consult a doctor if they consumed a milkshake from the Tacoma restaurant between May 29th and August 7th.
In response, the restaurant issued a statement on Saturday, expressing cooperation with the health department's investigation. The Tacoma site's ice cream machines are being sent for thorough cleaning and sanitization. As a precautionary measure, Frugals has temporarily halted milkshake sales at all its other establishments and is conducting testing on all ice cream machines.
"The trust of our customers is of utmost importance to us as a family-owned business spanning more than three decades," the statement affirms. "We will consistently cooperate with this investigation and are dedicated to implementing any necessary changes to uphold our rigorous operational standards and prevent any recurrence of such incidents."
By employing genetic fingerprinting of the bacteria discovered in the hospitalized individuals, health department investigators determined that the same food item likely caused the illness in all six patients. Among the hospitalized individuals, two of them, though not fatally affected, disclosed to the health department that they had consumed milkshakes from Frugals prior to falling ill.
Symptoms of listeriosis encompass fever, flu-like manifestations such as muscle pain and tiredness, headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In pregnant women, the disease can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, and potentially life-threatening infections in newborns.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains that listeria is a pathogenic bacterium capable of thriving in food, even when subjected to refrigeration and other preservation methods. Previous listeria outbreaks have been linked to raw and unpasteurized dairy products, uncooked or processed fruits and vegetables, and undercooked meats and fish. The FDA underscores that the longer these foods remain in the refrigerator, the greater the likelihood of bacterial growth.
To ensure the safety of your food and prevent listeria contamination at home, the FDA recommends maintaining your refrigerator temperature at 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) and your freezer at zero degrees Fahrenheit (-17.8 degrees Celsius). Swiftly clean and disinfect any spills within your fridge, and periodically sanitize the walls and shelves using a mixture of chlorine and water. Additionally, as a general practice, wash your hands with warm, soapy water both before and after handling food.
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