A source of the Salmonella has not yet been identified, however, one major violation was observed - "Investigators found that the restaurant was serving cooked pork prepared at the restaurant owner's home, which is not an approved food safety practice. The restaurant was directed to immediately stop serving pork-based food items and to remove them from their menu."
This practice could be responsible if Salmonella was in the pork or on the packaging. Could be that the smoothies used fresh produce that was not properly washed. If he brought the pork from home, perhaps he bought the strawberries from Uncle Jimmy, who grew them in his garden fertilized with fresh manure.
King County (WA) Public Health Notice
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/outbreak/burien-fresh-smoothies-2018-Aug.aspx
Salmonella outbreak associated with Burien Fresh Smoothies in Burien
Cases: 7
•Hospitalizations: 2
•Deaths: 0
•Status: Investigation is ongoing
•Locations: Burien Fresh Smoothies, 15712 1st Ave S, Burien, WA 98148
•Meal dates: August 6-8, 2018
•Prior food safety inspections and current rating? ◦EXCELLENT
King County (WA) Public Health Notice
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/outbreak/burien-fresh-smoothies-2018-Aug.aspx
Salmonella outbreak associated with Burien Fresh Smoothies in Burien
Cases: 7
•Hospitalizations: 2
•Deaths: 0
•Status: Investigation is ongoing
•Locations: Burien Fresh Smoothies, 15712 1st Ave S, Burien, WA 98148
•Meal dates: August 6-8, 2018
•Prior food safety inspections and current rating? ◦EXCELLENT
Highlights
Updated August 17, 2018
Updated August 17, 2018
Summary
Public Health is investigating an outbreak of salmonellosis (caused by Salmonella bacteria) associated with Burien Fresh Smoothies in Burien. At this time, the source of the illness has not been identified.
Illnesses
Since August 15, 2018, seven people from three separate meal parties reported becoming ill after consuming food and beverage from Burien Fresh Smoothies from August 6–8, 2018. Two of the ill people were hospitalized and have since recovered. There is no indication that any employees of the restaurant have had any symptoms consistent with salmonellosis.
Public Health actions
As part of the Public Health investigation, Environmental Health investigators visited the restaurant on August 15, 2018. Investigators found that the restaurant was serving cooked pork prepared at the restaurant owner's home, which is not an approved food safety practice. The restaurant was directed to immediately stop serving pork-based food items and to remove them from their menu.
However, on August 16, 2018, we identified a fourth ill person diagnosed with salmonellosis after eating at Burien Fresh Smoothies on August 7, 2018. This person did not eat any pork-based food items. On August 16, 2018, our Environmental Health investigators revisited the establishment and suspended its permit.
Illnesses
Since August 15, 2018, seven people from three separate meal parties reported becoming ill after consuming food and beverage from Burien Fresh Smoothies from August 6–8, 2018. Two of the ill people were hospitalized and have since recovered. There is no indication that any employees of the restaurant have had any symptoms consistent with salmonellosis.
Public Health actions
As part of the Public Health investigation, Environmental Health investigators visited the restaurant on August 15, 2018. Investigators found that the restaurant was serving cooked pork prepared at the restaurant owner's home, which is not an approved food safety practice. The restaurant was directed to immediately stop serving pork-based food items and to remove them from their menu.
However, on August 16, 2018, we identified a fourth ill person diagnosed with salmonellosis after eating at Burien Fresh Smoothies on August 7, 2018. This person did not eat any pork-based food items. On August 16, 2018, our Environmental Health investigators revisited the establishment and suspended its permit.
On August 17, 2018, an additional three ill people were identified (one person with lab-confirmed salmonellosis, two people with symptoms consistent with salmonellosis).
Burien Fresh Smoothies will not be allowed to reopen until Public Health confirms they complete a thorough cleaning and disinfection of their establishment, adopt safe food handling practices to minimize cross contamination risks, and any remaining processed ready-to-eat food products are discarded.
Additionally, Environmental Health investigators are working closely with Burien Fresh Smoothies owners to educate them about using only approved food sources. The restaurant will be allowed to sell pork-based foods once our food safety team determines the owners have secured an alternative approved source.
Laboratory testing
Five of the seven people who got sick tested positive for Salmonella Braenderup by a healthcare provider. We are still waiting for genetic fingerprint results.
Food samples were collected from the establishment for laboratory testing; results are pending.
Public Health message
This investigation is ongoing and we will provide more information as it becomes available.
Salmonella can cause serious illness. Anyone who ate at Burien Fresh Smoothies from August 7, 2018 to August 16, 2018, and developed diarrhea (especially bloody diarrhea) within 5 days, should consult with their healthcare provider promptly to determine if testing is necessary.
Burien Fresh Smoothies will not be allowed to reopen until Public Health confirms they complete a thorough cleaning and disinfection of their establishment, adopt safe food handling practices to minimize cross contamination risks, and any remaining processed ready-to-eat food products are discarded.
Additionally, Environmental Health investigators are working closely with Burien Fresh Smoothies owners to educate them about using only approved food sources. The restaurant will be allowed to sell pork-based foods once our food safety team determines the owners have secured an alternative approved source.
Laboratory testing
Five of the seven people who got sick tested positive for Salmonella Braenderup by a healthcare provider. We are still waiting for genetic fingerprint results.
Food samples were collected from the establishment for laboratory testing; results are pending.
Public Health message
This investigation is ongoing and we will provide more information as it becomes available.
Salmonella can cause serious illness. Anyone who ate at Burien Fresh Smoothies from August 7, 2018 to August 16, 2018, and developed diarrhea (especially bloody diarrhea) within 5 days, should consult with their healthcare provider promptly to determine if testing is necessary.
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