Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Outbreaks & Recalls,Salmonella on September 23, 2024
A food poisoning outbreak at Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria has sickened at least four people in Santa Clarita, with many others reporting symptoms. L.A. County Department of Public Health ordered the restaurant to close temporarily.
With so many people falling sick, a food poisoning lawsuit is coming to Santa Clarita.
Here’s what we know about the food poisoning outbreak at Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria.
The L.A. County Department of Public Health is currently investigating a food poisoning outbreak at Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria after urgent cares and ER’s began receiving increased numbers of patients reporting stomach pain on Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14.
Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria
27007 McBean Parkway
Valencia, California 91355
The department began receiving reports of these illnesses the following Tuesday, prompting an investigation.
“On Tuesday, September 17, the Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division, received several reports of people experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming food at Madre Oaxacan Restaurant located at 27007 McBean Parkway, Valencia,” said Becky Schlikerman, director of external communication for Public Health, in a statement. “The department’s Outbreak Investigation and Evaluation Unit is investigating.”
Reports of an uptick in patients reporting to local urgent care facilities and ER’s complaining of stomach pain and gastrointestinal illness was the first sign of something going seriously wrong.
Once facility cited that 14% of patients that weekend complained of symptoms associated with food poisoning. A rate that is 5% more than what they normally see.
In an Instagram statement, Madre Oaxacan Restaurant owner, Ivan Vasquez indicated that while they are taking the situation seriously, they do not believe the source of the food poisoning is with their food. Instead, shifting the blame to other factors.
He said that “this could be something brought in by any person, worker, or driver. Not necessarily food.”
Vasquez indicated that Salmonella tests were being delivered to the restaurant so staff could be tested in an effort to track down the source.
“We are taking this very seriously and we feel sorry for what my guests are going through. I can assure you that we have high standards of food safety and we have very responsible and outstanding food vendors and team members. Hope my customer recover soon and they are safe. This could happen to any business and unfortunately it happened to us,” said Vasquez to a local news group in a social media statement.
Staff are sanitizing the restaurant and awaiting instructions from L.A. County Public Health. “We want to stop the spread, but it didn’t happen because the food was contaminated,” Vasquez said as he vehemently denied allegations of food contamination.
Vasquez has other Madre Oaxacan restaurants in West Hollywood, Torrance, and Culver City. So far there have been no reports of issues related to these other locations.
As more and more people began reporting symptoms, it is no surprise that social media exploded on the topic. One thread on a Santa Clarita subreddit has garnered 161 comments so far. A user asks, “Anyone go to Madre on Friday 9/13 and get severe food poisoning?” Original poster says, “You are not alone.”
Reports of personal experiences following eating at the restaurant that weekend as well as accounts on behalf of family members filled the thread.
An Instagram account chronicling incidents in the Santa Clarita Valley area shared reports of the restaurant’s closure. So far, 163 comments have been added to the photo citing the local news of “Madre Restaurant in Valencia has been closed due to multiple reports of Salmonella.”
In an effort to gather information, L.A. County Public Health sent out a survey to diners. This survey is meant to “determine the nature and extent of this incident.”
This confidential survey, found at tinyurl.com/2p9zvahs includes basic contact information in case the department needs to follow up. It asks if you know someone who experienced diarrhea or vomiting prior to September 13, 2024.
Other questions asked about when you ate at the restaurant, whether or not you used the restroom facility, if you took food home, and whether or not you became ill. A list of symptoms are available to report in the form in addition to all of the menu items you may have consumed.
The survey also asks if you received medical care and information surrounding that experience and diagnosis.
Most reports of food poisoning include gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. Information surrounding this food poisoning outbreak at Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria point to Salmonella.
Salmonella symptoms can range from mild to severe. Certain groups of people are more likely to become sick after exposure and potentially experience more severe illness. This includes children under 5 years old, adults 65 years or older, and those with a weakened immune system.
Common Salmonella symptoms include:
Symptoms can begin anywhere from 6 hours to 6 days after exposure. Most people recover on their own without medical treatment within 4 to 7 days. For some, however, symptoms may be so severe that additional treatment or hospitalization is necessary.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have:
If you have recently experienced food poisoning at Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria recently and wish to make a legal claim, The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Salmonella lawyer that can help.
An experienced food poisoning lawyer can help you navigate the legal process to ensure you receive the justice you deserve. Contact The Lange Law Firm, PLLC by calling (833) 330-3663 or send an email today for a free consultation on this time sensitive situation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)