Fort Smith Chili's Grille & Bar 2000
A Fort Smith, Arkansas, Chili's was the focus of a Salmonella outbreak in 2000. A family and persons who attended a catered luncheon were the first groups to report illness. Within two weeks over 50 illnesses were attributed to the restaurant. Upon investigation, Salmonella Newport was isolated from the stool of several of the food handers. The restaurant was finally closed in mid July. The restaurant was cleaned, handwashing stations were upgraded, and a table where employees ate during breaks was eliminated. The primary cause for the outbreak was cross contamination between raw poultry and fresh salsa. A secondary cause was food handler contamination which continued to propogate the outbreak and provided ongoing exposure to restaurant patrons.
- Outbreak began:
- June 2000
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- N/A
- Organism(s):
-
- Salmonella
- Vehicle(s):
- Food workers
- Molecular Results Available:
- Unknown
- Test Results:
- None
- Location(s):
- Restaurant
- Brand Name(s):
- Product Subject to Recall:
- Unknown
-
- Recall Links:
- None
- Total ill:
- 96
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Unknown
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- N/A
- Number Probable Cases:
- N/A
- Number Possible Cases:
- N/A
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Unknown
- Number Hospitalized:
- Unknown
- Any Deaths:
- Unknown
- Number Dead:
- Unknown
- Any References:
- Yes