Three people have died and six have been hospitalized following a listeria outbreak at Frugals, a family-owned burger joint in Tacoma, Washington.
A report released on August 18 by the Washington State Department of Health has shocked local residents, confirming that listeria bacteria were present in all milkshake flavors sold at the Tacoma establishment.
According to the Department of Health, the individuals affected ranged in age from 40 to 79. "Investigators found Listeria in the ice cream machines, which were not cleaned correctly," stated the department, via NBC News. It further clarified that no other Frugals locations are believed to be implicated in this health crisis.
The timeline of the outbreak is deeply concerning. Although the Tacoma location ceased using its milkshake machines on August. 8, the department emphasized that listeria symptoms could manifest for up to 70 days.
This extended period of risk has triggered a significant health advisory. The Washington State Department of Health also urged those who are pregnant, 65 or older, and those with compromised immune systems to contact their health care provider if they consumed a milkshake at Frugals Tacoma between May 29 and August 7 and are showing symptoms.
Symptoms of listeria, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, seizures, diarrhea, and vomiting. The state's Health Department added that all six people had conditions that made their immune systems less able to fight disease.
Frugals Tacoma took to social media to address the unsettling findings. "We are heartbroken and deeply regret any harm our actions could have caused," the restaurant expressed in a statement on Instagram.
In an effort to regain public trust and prevent future outbreaks, Frugals mentioned that it has already sent its milkshake equipment to an independent facility for a thorough cleaning and sanitization. The chain is also testing samples from milkshake machines at its other locations and has shut down all milkshake services while awaiting results.
"As a family-owned business for over 30 years, the trust of our customers is paramount," Frugals commented. "We will continue to fully cooperate with this investigation, and we are committed to making any changes deemed necessary to maintain our high standard of operations and prevent this from happening again."
The tragedy has ignited fierce debates about food safety and has left an indelible mark on a longstanding local business. With public health experts intensifying their vigilance and the community in mourning, questions remain about the full scope of the outbreak and the future of food safety protocols in the region.
Our thoughts are with those affected by this awful tragedy.
