Kitty’s Restaurant and Lounge on Main Street in North Reading, Massachusetts has been closed after an alleged Salmonella outbreak. Omar Cabrera of the Communications Office at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin that eleven cases are confirmed. Apparently, 39 people have complained to officials that they got sick after eating at that facility. All 11 confirmed cases have exposure to food prepared by that restaurant.
According to NBC Boston, the outbreak apparently started on June 23, 2018. The North Reading Department of health has focused on the antipasto as the possible source of pathogenic bacteria.
Public health officials conducted an investigation of the facility on July 23, 2018. The restaurant was closed for cleaning and sanitation after another illness report was received on June 25, 2018. It reopened on July 6, 2018, and closed again after more complaints were filed.
The inspection, according to news sources, found several sanitation and food safety concerns at Kitty’s Restaurant and Lounge. Problem area were cross-contamination, time and temperature abuse, and insanitary conditions. All of those factors can contribute to contaminated food.
Attorney Fred Pritzker said, “Even after a patient recovers from a Salmonella infection, they can have long term problems such as reactive arthritis and endocarditis.” You can reach Fred at 1-888-377-8900.
Food safety lawyer Fred Pritzker said, “Restaurants are required to comply with all food safety laws and regulations in every state. No one should get sick just because they went out to eat.”
In addition to collecting environmental samples and collecting food to be tested, officials are recommending that Kitty’s Restaurant require testing of 46 employees that were working during the suspected time period. All of these employees will have to be cleared by the Massachusetts Department of Health before they can return to work. Restaurant staff has been told that they cannot work until they have had two negative tests for Salmonella 24 hours apart.
The Health Department is asking that anyone who ate at that restaurant in mid to late June and has been experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning see their doctor. They also say they want anyone who took leftover antipasto salad or house dressing after June 1, 2018 to throw it away.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include nausea, vomiting, a fever, and diarrhea that may be bloody or watery. Symptoms usually begin 6 to 72 hours after someone ingests food contaminated with the pathogen.
