40 People Suffer Food Poisoning After Eating at Springfield Arby’s

 Posted on February 26, 2021 in Food poisoning claim

Laws and regulations in the United States exist to ensure that the food people eat is safe. Unfortunately, businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, or food product manufacturers do not always follow these regulations, and this can result in serious cases of food poisoning. Recently, approximately 40 people claimed to have food poisoning after eating at an Arby's restaurant in Springfield, Illinois. Starting on February 15, 2021, the Sangamon County health department began receiving reports that people who had eaten at the restaurant had become ill. Over the following days, 40 cases were reported, causing the restaurant to shut down. After a deep cleaning, the Arby’s has reopened. An investigation is being performed, but the source of the foodborne illness has not yet been identified.

Potential Causes of Food Poisoning at Restaurants

Workers at restaurants should be trained on the proper methods of handling and preparing food to prevent dishes from being contaminated by viruses, bacteria, or toxins. If employees do not receive the proper training or do not follow the correct procedures, customers may contract food poisoning due to contaminated food. Some ways that foodborne illnesses can be spread by restaurant workers include:

• Failure to cook food properly - Heating food to the proper temperature during cooking will kill harmful microorganisms. Ground beef should be heated to an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit, while poultry such as chicken or turkey should be heated to 165 degrees. Steaks and pork should be heated to 145 degrees, and fish and shellfish should be cooked thoroughly.

• Failure to refrigerate, freeze, or defrost food - All perishable foods, including lettuce, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables, should be kept refrigerated or frozen. Foods should be defrosted in a refrigerator rather than at room temperature.

• Cross-contamination - Pathogens from one type of ingredient, such as raw meat, can contaminate other foods if the same utensils or surfaces are used when preparing different items. Contamination can also occur when foods are stored together, such as when meat juices drip from a higher shelf in a refrigerator to items on a lower shelf.

• Unsanitary practices - Foodborne illnesses can be spread if workers do not wash their hands before and after preparing food, if they do not clean surfaces or utensils properly, or if they do not take the proper measures to avoid contamination, such as wearing hairnets or covering their mouths when sneezing or coughing.

Contact Our Illinois Food Poisoning Lawyers

Food poisoning can not only cause a great deal of pain and discomfort for those who become ill, but victims may require hospitalization and extensive medical treatment, and they can suffer long-term or permanent effects. If you have contracted a foodborne illness after eating at a restaurant, Newland & Newland, LLP can advise you of your legal options, and we will help you take action to recover financial compensation that addresses the harm done to you and your family. Contact our Illinois food poisoning injury attorneys at 847-797-8000 to arrange a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.wandtv.com/news/dozens-of-food-poisoning-cases-reported-from-springfield-arbys/article_fc40ebf8-77d8-11eb-a4a0-df6e5f95146a.html

https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/production-chain.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-poisoning/symptoms-causes/syc-20356230