Gastrointestinal illness outbreak associated with Chinese Taste Restaurant in Issaquah

Highlights, updated March 3, 2022

Summary

Public Health investigated an outbreak of gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea associated with Chinese Taste restaurant in Issaquah.

Illnesses

Since February 1, 2022, 5 people from 1 meal party reported becoming ill after consuming food delivered from Chinese Taste restaurant on January 29, 2022.

Symptoms and timing of illness onsets are suggestive of a bacterial toxin, such as Bacillus cereus or Clostridium perfringens.

The exact food or drink that caused the illnesses was not identified, though this is not uncommon for outbreaks associated with a bacterial toxin.

Public Health actions

Environmental Health investigators visited the restaurant on February 4, 2022. Investigators identified potential risk factors for bacterial toxin growth and other foodborne germs, including inadequate handwashing facilities, inadequate use of gloves or utensils to prevent bare hand contact with ready to eat foods, lack of temperature controls, inadequate cooling procedures, use of an unapproved food preparation area, and risk of cross contamination between foods.

Based on unsafe food handling practices identified during inspection, investigators closed the restaurant on February 4, 2022. Environmental Health investigators provided restaurant management with recommendations and training. Environmental Health investigators revisited the restaurant on February 8, 2022 and ensured adoption of safe food handling practices before allowing the restaurant to reopen. The restaurant was allowed to reopen on February 9, 2022.

Laboratory testing

We did not have laboratory testing for the people who got sick. Bacterial toxin illnesses are typically short-lived and by the time people seek care, if they do at all, it is often too long after the suspected exposure to test.