Salmonella Poisoning at this Year’s Taste of Chicago
Posted: Friday, July 13, 2007
by Avis Ward
GeoVi's Home for Pregnant Teens
It's after two o'clock in the morning and I find myself restless; so I get out of bed to see what's happening elsewhere in the world. I am surprised to read a headline on the Internet about an article I submitted only yesterday, July 12, 2007! The uncanniness of this makes me a bit more restless. I can hear the music of Twilight Zone in my head.
The Associated Press reported today, 126 people became ill after the very popular food fest, Taste of Chicago. These people ate from the same booth and the illness for at least nine of them was confirmed due to salmonella poisoning. Ten were hospitalized, reported the health department.
The Chicago Department of Health was investigating all nine cases of salmonella poisoning. This number could increase due to the ongoing investigation and pending lab results.
The 126 people becoming ill had one thing in common, they had eaten at the Pars Cove Persian Cuisine booth, which served cucumber salad over hummus, grilled lamb and beef, pomegranate barbecued chicken and baklava. Mike Bambouyani, manager of the restaurant, is said to be cooperating with health officials to determine the cause of the outbreak.
It was the first confirmed outbreak of a food-borne illness associated with the Taste of Chicago in at least 20 years, the health department said in a release. The 10-day outdoor festival, which ended Sunday, brings out food from more than 70 restaurants and provides concerts.
I have attended five of these events but decided to head south this year since I was in Chicago last April. Incidentally, Pars Cove Restaurant isn’t on my list to be included in Part II of my article.
It was reported that officials inspected the restaurant and were interviewing and testing restaurant workers who handle food. “The bacteria could have been transmitted by food handlers or could have come from a food ingredient", officials said.
As you are no doubt aware, salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
I’ve experienced food poisoning once. It is a terrible feeling and an experience I shall never forget. It wasn’t in Chicago, Illinois but Short Hills, New Jersey. I will continue to attend Taste of Chicago festivals in the future. There's so much fun to be had in the Windy City when the temperature isn't in single digits!
If food is included in your plans for the beach, romantic picnics, trips to the park with the kids, or on road trips, remember to follow the home food safety guidelines. The American Dietetic Association provides information to help you prepare food for a safe and enjoyable outing.
© 2007 by Avis Ward of AWard Consulting , LLC
This Article has been viewed 841 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Avis, you write clearly and logically. However, as your reader, I missed an emotional connection to what you had to say. I'm guessing that you feel guilty about your recommendation. Take a look at your first paragraph. You simply reported that you wrote "yesterday" to recommend Taste of Chicago. If you wrote,"I never thought my words might cause someone to be poisoned," your readers would feel empathy and would want to read more. Allow yourself to be vulnerable when you write. That's how you find your voice.Marilyn, thank you. Your advice and suggestion proves your point. I did not want to suggest that my recommending the Taste of Chicago would cause someone to be poisoned. Since you could not connect this, it's good in one sense but I still gave you, the reader, no connection to make whatsoever. I so desperately want to "find my voice." You made a connection with me in another way, however. I am reluctant to show vulnerability more often than not. I hope you revisit this article after I edit it. Thank you for the sound and very beneficial advice, comments, compliments and encouragement. It's appreciated.
You obviously have strong writing skills, Avis. To find your voice, ask yourself what you fear saying. That's probably exactly what you need to say. Take care.That's what I'll work on and do, Marilyn. Thank you again for the personal Coaching. *warm smile* Take special care.
I read both versions and this is an improvement in terms of bringing the reader into your article and connecting with them. Good suggestions Marilyn! In the same way you might summarise your feelings and personalise your aritcle at the end with something like "I wont let this one unfortunate instance put me off coming to a wonderful festival with so many diverse and interesting foods!". In this way you tie the article together through the introduction and the conclusion.Ben, thanks for the suggestion and commentary. I can see how adding the sentence you wrote ties the beginning and ending together, perfectly! Ben, I appreciate the feedback given by you and Marilyn. I'm a work in progress and welcome all suggestions, critiques and comments. Thank you for checking back to see the improvements. :) Have a lovely weekend. I'm flattered you're a fan.
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