Food served at El Ranchero in Spruce Pine, NC, has been linked to a number of Salmonella and Campylobacter illnesses. The Toe River Health District is investigating the outbreak and asking anyone who ate or drank at the restaurant on or after May 18th and became ill to contact the health department.
Did You Get Sick After Eating at El Ranchero?
El Ranchero Salmonella, Campylobacter Outbreak
Officials at the Toe River Health District launched an investigation after being notified of two confirmed cases of Salmonella among patients who had dined at the restaurant before they became ill. So far, six Salmonella illnesses have been identified- four from Mitchell County and two from Yancey County. An undisclosed number of people were also diagnosed with Campylobacter.
All of the people sickened reported that they had eaten at the El Ranchero restaurant, located on Locust Street in Spruce Pine, before they became ill. A food source has not yet been identified.
What Inspectors Found
During three recent visits to the restaurant, health officials observed several violations, according to a report from ABC13 News, including:
- Cheese sitting on the raw chicken rack
- Raw chicken sitting on a keg.
- Aqua Fresca is sitting with raw chicken.
- Cross-contamination with spatulas on the grill.
- Dumpsters were missing drain plugs to prevent liquid waste from leaking and prevent harborage of pests.
- Undercooked chicken
- Handwashing issues and sanitizer problems.
- Weak bleach concentrations
Symptoms
Campylobacter and Salmonella are different bacteria that cause similar symptoms, including:
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea that is sometimes bloody
- Fever
- Chills
Previous Campylobacter Outbreaks
Foods commonly associated with Campylobacter outbreaks are poultry, seafood, produce, and raw milk.
- Alejandro’s Taqueria Associated with Campylobacteriosis Outbreak
- Campylobacter Outbreak at Wild Ginger Restaurant
- Swan Bros. Dairy Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak, Recall
- Campylobacter Outbreak at Rediviva in Aberdeen, WA Sickens 25
Previous Salmonella Outbreaks
Salmonella outbreaks are commonly associated with poultry, eggs, produce and sprouts.
- Ayco Farms Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Imported Melons from Guatemala
- Salmonella Outbreak at La Bamba Mexican Taco House in Mankato, Minnesota
- Vega Farms Eggs Salmonella Recall, Outbreak
- Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cage-Free Brown Eggs [Update]
- Another Bedner, Fresh Start Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak [Update]
- Study: Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella in Chicken is Increasing
- USDA Investigating Possible Chicken Salmonella Outbreak
Additional Information About Salmonella
- Salmonella Outbreak Lawsuit FAQ
- Salmonella Lawsuit: 5 Reasons to Sue for Compensation
- Member’s Mark Super Greens Salmonella Outbreak [Update]
- Salmonella Symptoms
- Can I Sue Perdue for Salmonella from Chicken?
- Can I Sue a Restaurant for Food Poisoning?
Experienced Food Poisoning Lawyers
If you developed a Salmonella infection after dining at El Ranchero restaurant and would like a free consultation with an experienced Food Poisoning lawyer, please contact the Pritzker Hageman Salmonella Legal Team. Our attorneys have represented clients in every major Salmonella outbreak in the U.S. Call us at 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or complete the form below. There is no obligation, and we don’t get paid unless we win.
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