Food Safety Expert Comments on E-Coli Infection at Restaurant

This case involves a food poisoning incident where more than thirty people contracted E-coli after eating at a restaurant on the same day. The state in which the restaurant was located in investigated the incident, and initially suspected it was a case of lead-tainted turmeric, but further investigation revealed the cause was from E-coli. While they were not able to find the specific source of the bacteria, they were able to confirm all of the infected patrons contracted the bacteria at the same restaurant. The restaurant had a history of health code infractions in the years leading up to the incident in question, and had been fined on multiple occasions.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Do you have familiarity with the subject matter described above?

2. Are you familiar withe food safety standards to prevent E-coli?

3. What could have been done to avoid the outcome in this case?

Expert Witness Response E-029486

I have extensive experience in the Industry concerning food safety, as well as over 20 years of teaching the subject matter at the college level and through one day certification workshops. I'm very familiar with the appropriate practices and protocols not only in this state but nationally. Pathogenic E-Coli id transmitted via the oral fecal route. If the food source was common the product itself would be suspect. Personal hygiene is another common source and an ingredient common to all menu items may have been to blame. Areas of scrutiny would involve staff training, product sourcing and handling. Oral fecal transmitted pathogens are a large part of my lectures at both the full semester training and one day workshops. In addition to practical industry experience I'm a certified food safety instructor through the National Restaurant Association. I also assist with content development and review as a primary member of E-Food handler which is an online training and certification program.