Tainted Pickles Sold At Illinois Market Linked To Salmonella Outbreak

The Cook County Department Public Health (CCDPH) just announced that an outbreak of <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/food_poisoning">Salmonella Newport seems to be linked to the Assi Market in Niles, Illinois and has been linked to contaminated pickles. Officials there are urging residents to call if they purchased pickles from the contaminated batch.

Currently, there are six identified laboratory-confirmed cases including five hospitalizations associated with this outbreak. All those who have fallen ill and confirmed linked to this outbreak have reported eating a pickle purchased from the Assi Market. The involved pickles are made at the Assi Market and are sold in plastic bags at the deli section.

A pickle obtained from a family of two of the people who fell ill and are now confirmed cases was sent to the Illinois Department of Public Health laboratory for testing and has been identified as positive for Salmonella. The batch of pickles was available for purchase from July 25, 2010 through July 27, 2010 with a sell by date of August 24, 2010.

“We are asking for anyone who purchased these pickles to contact our agency,” CCDPH Chief Operating Officer (COO) Stephen A. Martin, Jr., Ph.D., M.P.H. said.
“Salmonella is a serious disease and we want to make sure we’ve spoken with anyone who may have become ill after eating these pickles. In addition, we are interested in conducting additional testing on any remaining pickles from this batch.”

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that, in most cases, causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. Most affected individuals recover within four to seven days without treatment; however, infants, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for a more severe illness that may require hospitalization.

Persons who have experienced diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, and who have eaten the contaminated pickles sold at Assi Market in Niles, Illinois that were sold between July 25, 2010 and July 27, 2010 should contact the Cook County Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit at 708-492-2150.

Cooking food thoroughly, cleaning kitchen surfaces and good personal hygiene play a vital role in the prevention of Salmonella infections. CCDPH also warns that people should not eat raw or undercooked eggs, poultry, or meat; uncooked meats should be kept separate from produce, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods; hands, cutting boards, counters, knives, and other utensils should be washed thoroughly after touching uncooked foods. Also, people who have Salmonella poisoning should not prepare food or pour water for others until their diarrhea has resolved and people should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the bathroom.

CCDPH can be reached at 708-492-2000 or at its website at www.cookcountypublichealth.org.