March 28, 2008: Claudia Sanders Outbreak May Have Been Caused By Staph

March 28th, 2008

According to Chris Kenning of the Courier-Journal.com, the Kentucky State Health Department has indicated that Staphylococcus aureus, may have caused more than 137 people to become ill after eating at the Claudia Sanders Dinner House Easter Buffet.

Staphylococcus aureus is often referred to as Staph, Staph a, or S. aureus for short.  The foodborne illness that the bacterium causes is often referred to as Staphylococcal food poisoning or Staph food poisoning. 

To learn more, please see About Staph and Staph Food Poisoning Symptoms, or visit out additional website, www.foodpoisoning.com.

The Courier-Journal also reported:

Preliminary results from the Kentucky State Lab suggested that staphylococcus aureus might be the culprit of the food poisoning, although it’s not definitive since it was found in some stool samples and not others.

“We anticipate more confirmed results next week,” said Tony Millet, a health department spokesman for the state’s North Central District Health Department.

Earlier reports linked the illnesses to ham served at the buffet.  Ham is a common vehicle for Staphylococcal food poisoning due to the amount of hand preparation involved (Staph is commonly found on the skin and in nasal passages of humans); and because of Staph’s ability to survive in salty foods. 

These facts underscore the importance of proper hygiene during food preparation, e.g., hand washing and gloves; and the importance of maintaining the appropriate  food temperature while serving ham during a buffet event.

The Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg has been contacted by individuals who were sickened in this latest food poisoning outbreak.  Please submit a free legal case evaluation, or call us toll free at 1-877-934-6274, if you have a question regarding your legal rights.

Entry Filed under: Recent Outbreaks and Food Recalls