The Florida Times Union reports that a lemonade stand run by a group of cheerleaders has been tied to an outbreak of stomach flu among at least 48 people who attended May’s Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival in Fernandina Beach.
Kim Geib, director of disease control and prevention services at the Nassau County Health Department said the department determined lemonade caused the illnesses after interviewing 30 of the people who reported falling ill in the days after the May 3-6 festival.
Though the drink was served in several spots around the festival, the health
department investigation found the lemonade that caused the illness was
served May 5 at the Fernandina Beach High School Cheerleaders’ booth, Geib
said.
As I’ve written before, to coach little girls playing ice hockey in Canada requires 16 hours of training. To coach kids on a travel team requires an additional 24 hours of training. Shouldn’t we expect all those who prepare food or beverages, even at temporary events, have some basic food safety training?