A listeria outbreak that killed three people has been linked to the milkshake that burger chain Frugals sells at its Tacoma, Washington, restaurant, according to a report. State Department of Health.
In a news release Friday, officials said the outbreak was caused by foodborne listeria, a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness or death in people 65 and older, as well as miscarriages and premature deliveries in pregnant women. At least three other people were hospitalized as a result of the outbreak from February 27 to July 22.
The health department said the same strain of bacteria was found in the restaurant’s ice cream machines, about 10 miles south of downtown Tacoma, that had not been properly cleaned. The restaurant stopped using its ice cream machines after they were tested Aug. 8, but listeria can infect people several days after consuming the bacteria, health officials said. They added that none of the other Frugals restaurants in Washington or Montana are believed to have been affected.
in A statement posted on Instagram Over the weekend, the Frugals said, “We are saddened and deeply sorry for any harm our actions could have caused.” She added that the Tacoma Frugal family has stopped selling their milkshakes and has sent the milkshake equipment to be cleaned and retested.
Frugals did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment Monday night.
Investigators said all six people hospitalized, including those who died, were immunocompromised, and that genetic fingerprinting of the bacteria showed that the food itself was likely responsible for making them sick.
Two of those who fell ill and survived told investigators they drank milkshakes from the restaurant.
Previous listeria outbreaks caused by ice cream and milkshakes prompted the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to take samples from the restaurant on Aug. 8, state health officials said. Ten days later, they confirmed that all of the restaurant’s flavored milkshakes had been contaminated by the same strain of listeria that caused the outbreak.
While most people who eat food contaminated with listeria do not become seriously ill, state health officials have advised anyone who is pregnant, age 65 or older or is immunocompromised, and who drank a milkshake at the restaurant from May 29 to August 7 to contact the their healthcare provider. .
“The milkshake machines will be kept out of service until the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department determines that they are free of listeria contamination and no longer pose a risk to the public.” Washington State Department of Health He said.