The Salmonella outbreak in Georgia that was associated with Plain Nuts Catering & Deli in Newton County has ended, with investigators not able to identify the source of the pathogenic bacteria, according to the Newton County Health Department.
Those sickened ate food prepared by that facility at several private events and restaurant meals. A full investigation was conducted, including interviewing patients, analysis of a survey completed by will and well event attendees, and inspection of the catering facility.
The survey results pointed to chicken as a statistically implicated source, but samples of chicken and foods containing chicken tested negative. The report points out that it’s “often difficult to pinpoint specific foods as the cause of an outbreak.” The latest reported exposure date was May 11, 2018, so the outbreak is apparently over.
Plain Nuts Catering & Deli cooperated with the investigation. The facility closed on May 15, 2018 for on-site training and screening of staff. the restaurant has also conducted a full enhanced cleaning of the facility. Public health officials will be meeting with facility to make sure that all areas of the kitchen have been disinfected according to the Georgia Food Code.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a Salmonella infection, you can contact attorney Fred Pritzker for help by calling 1-888-377-8900.
Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker said, “We may never know what food caused this outbreak; that’s an issue with most food poisoning outbreak investigations. Unfortunately, many people were sickened because something went wrong somewhere along the supply chain.”
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include fever, nausea, abdominal and stomach pains and cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea that may be bloody. Most people who contract this infection never go to a doctor, so the numbers reported in these outbreaks is much lower than the actual number of illnesses. If you have been experiencing these symptoms, see your doctor because you may be part of this Salmonella outbreak.
