The Dangers of Foodborne Illness at Your Lenten Fish Fry

 Posted on March 08, 2022 in Food Poisoning

The season of Lent is upon us, which means that practicing Christians have started their religious preparations for Easter. For many, this includes abstaining from eating meat on Fridays. However, even those who do not observe the religious nature of the season may be affected by it, especially from a culinary perspective.

Throughout Lent, many restaurants and bars, and even volunteer fire departments, church social clubs, and community organizations offer “fish fries.” In fact, you can find a fish fry just about any time of year in the Midwest, but things really ramp up during Lent. As with any food-related celebration, it is important to be wary of foodborne illness as you tuck in for your Friday fish fry this year.

What Types of Contamination Are Possible?

A basic fish fry plate generally consists of a large, battered fish filet—usually cod or haddock—served with French fries, but there are regional traditions that often include other sides. For example, it is not uncommon in the Chicago area to see fish and French fries accompanied by coleslaw, macaroni salad, and other cold salads.

Cod and haddock are relatively safe fish to eat, but there have been cases of foodborne illnesses associated with cod and haddock as recently as last year. A salmonella outbreak in Colorado was linked to a particular supplier, and the affected products included cod, haddock, red snapper, ocean perch, and several other species of fish prepared and packaged for restaurant and grocery store sales.

Overall, the chances of becoming sick from eating fish are fairly low, but some of the traditional fish fry sides may be more dangerous. Cold salads such as pasta salad, potato salad, and coleslaw are often made with mayonnaise, which means the salads must be kept cold during preparation and storage. Depending on the establishment at which you get your fish fry, it is not unusual for large containers to sit out while workers are loading plates. Any mayonnaise-based product can become contaminated if it is left out for too long, so it is important to choose fish fry places that take food safety seriously.

Track Down the Source of Your Illness with the Help of a Chicago Food Poisoning Lawyer

If you get sick after enjoying a Lenten fish fry this year, an Illinois food poisoning attorney can help you determine where the contamination came from, as well as the party or parties that should be held responsible for your illness. Contact the offices of Newland & Newland LLP by calling 312-981-0409 to get the help you need today. We will work hard to ensure that your rights and best interests are fully protected.

Sources:

https://www.timeout.com/chicago/restaurants/great-places-for-a-lenten-fish-fry

https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/thompson-10-21/index.html

https://www.health.com/food/14-most-dangerous-summer-foods