The chief doctor in Brantford, Ontario, Canada, is recommending charges be laid against an unlicensed caterer connected with an outbreak of foodborne illness that sickened about 100 staff at Brant Family and Children’s Services last month.
Dr. Malcolm Lock, Brant County medical officer of health, told board of health members on Wednesday that he believes enough information has been gathered during the investigation into the outbreak to warrant the laying of charges under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. The suggested charges relate to serving food unfit for human consumption and operating as an unlicensed caterer.
The scope of the outbreak necessitated the health unit “do everything we can under the law,” Lock said.
He said that consultations are underway with the local Crown’s office but no final decision had been made regarding the charges. If and when charges are laid, the caterer’s name would be released, he said.
Lock issued an order that the caterer not cater any functions or handle any food for public consumption.
Word about possible charges comes nearly six weeks after a Sept. 10 luncheon, organized by Brant Family and Children’s Services and held at the South Dumfries Community Centre in St. George, that resulted in nearly 100 people becoming ill with quick-onset gastrointestinal symptoms including cramping and often severe diarrhea. Those attending the luncheon were served a catered lunch of egg salad wraps, chicken wraps and potato salad.
By Oct. 5, the health unit had reported that almost all those who became ill had recovered.
The transportation of the food was “totally inadequate,” Lock told board members on Wednesday.
In addition, it was earlier confirmed that the caterer was not registered with the health unit nor inspected by food inspectors.
Stool samples from those sickened were sent to health laboratories for identification and two organisms were later confirmed as culprits.
One was identified as Plesiomonas shigelloides, an organism often associated with raw shellfish and unsanitary conditions, and usually associated with tropical or sub-tropical regions.
Tests later confirmed the presence of a second organism, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, also known at ETEC, in samples sent to health laboratories for identification. ETEC is most commonly associated with traveller’s diarrhea, Lock said.
Board members heard Wednesday that the caterer had returned from a trip to Haiti shortly before the luncheon.
