The listeria outbreak that led to the deaths of three people has been linked to milkshakes sold by burger chain Frugals at its restaurant in Tacoma, Wash., according to state health department.
In a news release Friday, officials said the outbreak was caused by food-borne listeria, a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness or death in people 65 or older and miscarriages and premature births in pregnant women. women. At least three other people were hospitalized as a result of the outbreak from February 27 to July 22.
The same strain of bacteria was found in ice cream machines at the restaurant, about 10 miles south of downtown Tacoma, that had not been properly cleaned, the health department said. The restaurant stopped using the ice cream machines after they were tested Aug. 8, but people can become ill with listeria days after eating the bacteria, health officials said. None of the other Frugals restaurants in Washington or Montana are believed to be affected, they added.
In a statement posted on Instagram over the weekend, Frugals said, “We are saddened and deeply regret any harm our actions may have caused.” Tacoma Frugals stopped selling the milkshakes and sent the milkshake equipment to be cleaned and retested, it said.
The thrift did not immediately respond to requests for further comment Monday night.
Investigators said all six people who were hospitalized, including those who died, were immunocompromised, and genetic fingerprinting of the bacteria showed that the same food was likely responsible for their illness.
Two of those who got sick and survived told investigators they drank milkshakes from the restaurant.
Previous listeria outbreaks caused by ice cream and milkshakes prompted the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department to take samples from the restaurant on Aug. 8, state health officials said. Ten days later, they confirmed that all of the restaurant’s milkshake flavors were contaminated with the same strain of listeria that caused the outbreak.
While most people who eat listeria-contaminated food do not become seriously ill, state health officials advise anyone who is pregnant, age 65 and older or immunocompromised and drinks a milkshake at the restaurant from May 29 to August 7 to contact their health provider.
“The milkshake machines cannot be used until the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department determines they are free of Listeria contamination and no longer pose a risk to the public,” the Washington State Department of Health said.