According to local health officials, 17 individuals reporting cases of food poisoning have one thing in common – they all ate at the Pars Cove Restaurant booth at the Taste of Chicago food festival. Of the 17, five cases have been linked to Salmonella bacteria; three of those individuals were hospitalized.
The Chicago Department of Health is investigating the outbreak. The type of Salmonella bacteria has been identified as the Heidelberg strain, but the specific contaminated food served at the Pars Cove booth has not been determined.
Health Department inspectors patrol the food festival, examining each of the 70 booths. But their job is to measure the temperature of the food and dispose of anything that doesn’t meet code, officials noted. Apparently, inspectors disposed of food being served at the Pars Cove booth at least once over the course of the festival.
The restaurant, which serves Persian food and is located on the North Side of the city, has been in business for 31 years. Health officials inspected the restaurant in the past few days and found a number of violations, including unsanitary conditions, improper refrigeration and mouse droppings, according to Frances Guichard, director of food protection for the Chicago Department of Public Health. The restaurant, which has been fined for the mouse droppings, remains open.
If you are experiencing symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning, including diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and/or fever, you should contact your doctor and the Chicago Board of Health at (312) 744-5000. Chicago residents can call 311. If you have gotten sick after eating at the Pars Cove booth, you can assist the city health department in its investigation by getting in touch.
If you require legal representation after suffering Salmonella food poisoning, please call the Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg toll free at 1-877-934-6274, or click on free case evaluation . Our firm currently represents victims of Salmonella outbreaks connected with Arby’s Restaurant and Peter Pan and Great Value peanut butter. To learn more about Salmonella, please visit the website www.foodpoisoning.com and the blog www.salmonellalawsuit.com, both sponsored by Eric H. Weinberg.
