Food Poisoning at Blue Star Café & Pub Linked to Fried Sliced Potatoes

https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/signs-symptoms/index.html

TKing County Public Health recently investigated a food poisoning at Blue Star Café & Pub outbreak. Two people became sick after eating at the restaurant. Fried sliced potatoes are the likely source. However, once the outbreak prompted an investigation, several serious health code violations were discovered at the restaurant.

This is not the first time the restaurant has been cited for serious health code violations potentially impacting the health and safety of the restaurant’s patrons.

Here’s what we know about the food poisoning at Blue Star Café & Pub outbreak.

Food Poisoning at Blue Star Café & Pub Outbreak

The restaurant, Egg Cetera’s Blue Star Café & Pub is located at 4512 Stone Way N in Seattle.

Egg Ceteras Blue Star Café & Pub

4512 Stone Way N

Seattle, WA 98103

A cluster of two illnesses of two people who do not live in the same home became sick on August 18, 2024 after eating at the restaurant that day. Both people reported feeling symptoms consistent with a foodborne bacterial toxin. Including feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

During the course of the investigation, both people were interviewed. In an effort to learn how they became sick, they were asked about the foods they consumed in the seven days prior to becoming sick. According to these accounts, they only saw each other once when they ate together at Egg Ceteras Blue Star Café & Pub on that day, August 18, 2024.

King County Public Health Investigates Food Poisoning at Blue Star Café & Pub Outbreak

The investigation prompted an inspection at the restaurant on September 4, 2024. While at Blue Star Café & Pub, several activities were observed that may have contributed to the increased risk of bacterial toxin growth. Namely unsafe cooling and refrigeration of food.

This observation of unsafe practices were found in the restaurant’s process for making sliced potatoes used in the fried sliced potatoes dish. A food that both sick people ate from the restaurant.

No sick food workers were observed during the inspection.

Based on the results of the inspection, fried sliced potatoes is likely the source of the foodborne illness outbreak.

Inspectors educated the restaurant workers on safe cooling processes for cooked food. The restaurant fixed the problems during the visit and indicated a follow-up inspection would take place.

Warnings were issued for the following violations:

Improper preparation of raw shell eggs
Improper cooling procedure
In use utensils were not stored properly
Improper cold holding temperatures
Nonfood contact surfaces were not maintained and cleaned
Warewashing facilities were not properly installed/maintained/used
Insects, rodents, and/or animals present and entrance controlled

On September 18, 2024, inspectors revisited the restaurant “to make sure the restaurant continued to follow safe procedures for preparing their foods.” During this follow-up visit, no health violations were observed.

The outbreak is over, and Seattle Public Health indicates that the investigation is complete.

Prior Health Code Violations at Blue Star Café & Pub

This recent cluster of illnesses associated with eating food from Blue Star Café & Pub is not the first time the restaurant has been warned for health code violations.

In January they were also cited for improper cold holding temperatures. They were cited in June 2023 for inadequate handwashing facilities and potential cross-contamination risk. In May 2022, they were cited for improper cooling procedures.

Maintaining equipment that can consistently hold food at proper cold temperatures is an important aspect of food safety in a restaurant. This appears to be an ongoing problem for the business.

Specific Germ Unknown in Food Poisoning at Blue Star Café & Pub

Unfortunately, no specific germ could be identified in the food poisoning at Blue Star Café & Pub outbreak. With illnesses involving bacterial toxins, illness passes very quickly. But the time someone sees a doctor (if they do at all), it is usually too late to test for the pathogen.

Common Symptoms of Food Poisoning

Symptoms of food poisoning can vary from germ to germ. Depending on the specific pathogen making people sick, it could be hours, days, or even weeks between eating something contaminated and the first onset of symptoms. Illnesses may range from mild to serious and also last different lengths of time depending on the germ involved. Someone could be sick for a few hours, several days, or experience more severe complications that can last much longer.

The most common symptoms of food poisoning include:

Diarrhea
Stomach pain or cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
fever

Things get more complicates for those who are pregnant. They may be vulnerable to complications involving their pregnancy. For example, Listeria monocytogenes infections in those who are pregnant increase the risk of miscarriage, still birth, and serious infection in the newborn. Even mild infections can cause pregnancy complications.

Seek medical attention if you experience severe symptoms, including:

bloody diarrhea
diarrhea lasing more than three days
high fever (temperature over 102° F)
vomiting so often that you cannot keep liquids down
signs of dehydration, including reduced urination, dry mouth and throat, and/or feeling dizzy when standing

Sick From Food Poisoning at Blue Star Café & Pub?

If you’ve become sick from food poisoning at Blue Star Café & Pub, there are a few things you can do to help yourself and others during this situation.

Report Your Illness

Even if your illness is mild, reporting your illness to King County Public Health can help others. The more information the department has, the more likely a specific source can be identified.

You will likely be asked about the foods and drinks you have consumed in the weeks prior to becoming sick. Start making your list while it is freshest in your mind. Include the places you got them and where you ate them (dine in, takeout, etc.). Be as specific as possible.

Get Advice

If you have been significantly impacted by food poisoning at Blue Star Café & Pub, you may need to seek advice from an experienced food poisoning lawyer. Select a law firm that has represented cases just like yours.