Worker’s homemade lunch blamed for mass food poisoning at seafood shop that left 50 people needing medical attention

A MASS food poisoning outbreak at a food distribution center has left almost 50 people in hospital.

Some 46 adults were rushed to hospital after falling sick at an employee potluck at the plant.

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The large-scale contamination at NAFCO Wholesale Seafood Distributors in Jessup, Maryland, around 15 miles southwest of Baltimore, was caused after one employee brought in a noodle dish from home, according to reports.

Dozens became nauseous simultaneously just one hour after sharing "pancit," a Filipino stir-fried noodle dish often served with pork on Monday.

All 46 adults were evaluated at the scene before being taken to nearby hospitals, with emergency teams from Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties providing additional sickness.

Fortunately, none of the patients were in a critical condition and were released after being treated and monitored.

"The investigation has preliminarily determined that an employee prepared food at his home over the weekend, ultimately serving the homemade food to fellow employees who became sick," a NAFCO representative told The U.S. Sun.

No consumers were exposed to any illness nor were they at risk, the company also stressed.

Howard County Health Department says it is investigating the incident.

"The Howard County Health Department is continuing to work closely with the Maryland Department of Health and other partners to investigate the cause of the Jessup foodborne illness outbreak that occurred on Monday, October 21, 2024," a spokesperson told The U.S. Sun.

"Preliminary indications are that the illness is related to outside food prepared by an employee and shared with others at the facility.

"We are in the process of talking to those affected to learn more details about the food in question.

"At this time, we are not aware of any further illness connected to this incident and believe there is little risk to the larger community."

Officials say it will take time to determine the exact cause of the illness.

"It's not just pathogens that are always involved," Dr. Clifford Mitchell from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, told local NBC affiliate WBAL-TV.

"Sometimes it's a combination of a bacteria or a virus combined with some viruses in pathogens also produce chemicals, toxins, that will cause a faster reaction,"

But Dr. Mitchell said authorities don't believe food sold at the wholesaler is contaminated by any germs or pathogens that caused the poisoning outbreak.

"If we can get samples of the food itself and test it in our laboratory, and then we will also look at specimens from individuals who have sought medical care to identify the causal agent or agents," he added.

Health officials believe this is an isolated incident with no further risk to the public.

"Most of these involve people who are legitimately not trying to cause other people to become sick, just not following good safety rules," Mitchell said.

"We emphasize the importance of making sure foods that are supposed to be hot stay hot, and foods that are supposed to be cold stay cold." 

NAFCO's parent company, Stanley Pearlman Enterprises, said in a statement, "NAFCO operates under the highest health and safety standards in the industry.

"Our headquarters and facilities are regularly inspected and monitored by the relevant health authorities to ensure compliance with all health and safety regulations."

It comes as a deadly E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald's restaurants left dozens sick.

At least one person died and 10 were hospitalized after reportedly eating Quarter Pounders from the fast-food giant.

As a precaution, McDonald's abruptly withdrew its Quarter Pounders from about one-fifth of its restaurants nationwide.

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