In the state of Washington, a heartbreaking incident has occurred. Milkshakes tainted with dangerous Listeria bacteria have resulted in the loss of three lives and hospitalizations of three more individuals. Let’s delve into the details and understand what happened.
Health officials have revealed that the ice cream machines at Frugals, a popular burger and milkshake restaurant in Tacoma, were the source of the bacterial contamination. The news has left everyone associated with the restaurant deeply saddened.
Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause illness even up to 70 days after consuming contaminated food. Investigations showed that improper cleaning of the ice cream machines at the Tacoma restaurant led to the outbreak of a foodborne illness called listeriosis.
Between the dates of February 27 and July 22, a total of six people were admitted to the hospital due to this outbreak. The Washington State Department of Health has stated that genetic testing confirmed the presence of the same strain of Listeria in the milkshakes consumed by these individuals.
Interestingly, two out of the three survivors revealed that they had consumed milkshakes from the very same Frugals restaurant before experiencing any symptoms. This provides crucial insight into the origin of the outbreak.
In response to the incident, Frugals issued a statement expressing their profound sorrow and regret for any harm caused by their actions. They have pledged to make any necessary changes to their operations to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that around 1,600 Americans contract Listeria infections annually, resulting in approximately 260 fatalities. The symptoms of Listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, confusion, and seizures. For pregnant individuals, it can lead to pregnancy loss or premature birth. However, most people who consume Listeria-contaminated food do not fall ill, except for older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.
It’s important to note that health officials have assured that no other Frugals restaurants are believed to have the bacterial contamination.
In the wake of this incident, a lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a woman whose husband reportedly suffered neck and arm pain until his unfortunate demise after consuming a Frugals milkshake. The family’s lawyer, Bill Marler, who specializes in food safety, emphasized the need for transparency to learn from this sad incident.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of food safety and proper hygiene practices. Let’s all work together to prevent such tragedies in the future.