Roast beef source of salmonella that sickened 155 at Mother's Day brunch

June 7, 2005
CP Wire

HAMILTON - Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton's medical officer of health, was cited as saying the outbreak of food poisoning stemming from a Mother's Day buffet at the Royal Botanical Gardens is the worst he's seen, adding, "I've been here for 16 years and this is the first outbreak (of salmonella food poisoning) of this magnitude. Salmonella infections are quite common. What is uncommon is the size of this outbreak."

The story says that the Halton Region Health Department's investigation confirmed Tuesday that 155 of the 288 people who ate the meal became ill.

Eight of those who got sick needed to be hospitalized due to dehydration caused by excessive diarrhea and vomiting.

The investigation, which is almost complete, found that salmonella bacteria present in one or more beef roasts multiplied, and from there, other roasts as well as pork and ham were contaminated.

Three different strains of salmonella were present in samples collected from people who ate the buffet, but the health department is still waiting on lab results to finalize which strains.

Nosal was further quoted as saying, "Although there are certain products more likely to have salmonella, like chicken and eggs, it can occur in (beef)," adding that about 20 per cent of raw chicken carries salmonella, while five per cent of raw beef is contaminated.

Nosal was further cited as saying a combination of the food being kept at an improper temperature as well as cross-contamination were responsible for the outbreak, and that those who ate the roast beef were 2.5 times more likely to get sick than those who didn't.

Caterer Kate Greenland was cited as saying she was shocked to hear the bacteria came from the roast beef, but she wouldn't comment further on the findings of the investigation, adding, "This is a very serious matter. As you know, the investigation is not complete."

The Royal Botanical Gardens is suing Greenland's company for $1.1 million.

The Gardens is also being sued by at least one patron who got sick.