70 staff members ill after Department of Health luncheon; eatery cited
Epidemiologists at the state Department of Health are investigating their agency’s own annual holiday luncheon after dozens of employees reported falling ill after the party last week.
About 70 staff members claim to have experienced gastrointestinal issues following the catered event at the Harold Runnels Building attended by more than 200 employees, according to a spokesman.
Health Secretary Lynn Gallagher wrote in an email to staff Monday that investigators have not identified a specific food from the party that may have caused the outbreak.
A team from the department’s Epidemiology and Response Division “believes that there may have been cross-contamination of menu items served during the luncheon,” she wrote.
Read more: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/staff-members-ill-after-department-of-health-luncheon/article_32e58635-07a0-5aaf-a4df-4ac5b6ea76e9.html
Embattled eatery cited after luncheon that sickened 70 health workers
State regulators say the Department of Health holiday luncheon that resulted in several dozen employees reporting symptoms of food poisoning was catered by a local restaurant that did not have a permit to serve food at the event.
New Mexico Environment Department inspectors slapped Bad Ass Sandwich Co., recently renamed Kick Ass Sandwich Shop, with a notice of violation when they dropped in on the West Palace Avenue restaurant this week and found it did not have a permit for catering.
The founder of the business told The New Mexican that his company did not cater the luncheon. Instead, Shannon Quintana said Department of Health staff ordered the restaurant’s food to be served alongside other dishes brought by employees.
But the Environment Department, which is responsible for regulating food safety around the state, depicts it as an open-and-shut case.
Read more: http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/embattled-eatery-cited-after-luncheon-that-sickened-health-workers/article_8413b93f-536b-564b-a2cd-2286188b4b08.html
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