(5MinNewsBreak.com) – A shocking mass food poisoning incident at a Maryland seafood distributor has left dozens of workers hospitalized.
The incident happened at NAFCO Wholesale Seafood Distributors in Jessup, Maryland, where 46 adults were hospitalized.
The outbreak is linked to a homemade Filipino stir-fried noodle dish, known as “pancit,” which an employee brought to the workplace,
After eating the food in the company’s parking lot, employees started experiencing symptoms just hours later.
Howard County Fire and EMS responded to the situation and evaluated 46 patients who had reportedly eaten the same food.
All patients were taken to Howard County General Hospital in non-critical condition, prompting the hospital to declare a “mini disaster alert” due to the influx of patients.
“NAFCO operates under the highest health and safety standards in the industry. Our headquarters and facilities are regularly inspected and monitored by the relevant health authorities to ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations,” NAFCO parent company Stanley Pearlman Enterprises stated.
“The food poisoning wasn’t due to seafood at NAFCO. Instead, the company said in a statement that workers became ill after purchasing food from an outside source for lunch,” NAFCO added.
In response to the incident, the company has stated that it will no longer allow outside food on the premises.
The Howard County Health Department is now investigating the incident, seeking food samples and medical specimens to identify the cause.
Dr. Clifford Mitchell, who is involved in the investigation, explained, “If we can get samples of the food itself and test it in our laboratory, and then we will also look at specimens from individuals who have sought medical care to identify the causal agent or agents.”
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