When more than 200 individuals fell ill after eating Cronut Burgers at the Canadian National Exhibit (CNE), in Toronto, this August, the public was quick to blame the popular donut-croissant hybrid for the rash of illnesses. However, after conducting an investigation, Canadian health officials found that the real culprit was a maple bacon jam served on the burgers. The story, which made headlines throughout North America, serves as a reminder that diners can never be too careful when it comes to food safety.
Dining Outlook: The Threat of Food Poisoning
In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) compiles statistics on food-related illnesses and food safety threats. According to a recent CDC report, the past year has seen a dramatic rise in food poisoning cases. This means that diners must now be more careful than ever before when eating, in order to avoid falling ill.
As a rule of thumb, you should avoid eating in any restaurant where the windows, tables and floors are dirty or messy. If the front seating area of the restaurant isn’t clean, you don’t even want to know what the kitchen looks like. It’s also important to exercise caution when eating at festivals or special events. The maple bacon jam incident at the CNE is salient proof that even experienced food handlers can have a hard time providing healthy, uncontaminated food outside of industrial kitchens.
What Should You Do if A Restaurant Makes You Sick?
Anyone who has suffered from food poisoning knows that one bad meal can have a big impact on how you feel for a few days or even a few weeks. Most cases of food poisoning will start between two and six hours after you eat a meal. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness and the chills.
If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, it’s important to get to a doctor or clinic as soon as possible. While most food poisoning cases can be treated with bed rest, some dangerous strains must be treated with antibiotics. It’s essential that doctors catch and identify strong cases of food poisoning quickly, so that they can work to prevent a possible outbreak in your local area.
If you’ve recently suffered from food poisoning or another food-related illness, you may want to speak to an attorney about making the restaurant pay for your medical costs. At Brown Chiari, we’re dedicated to helping consumers who need legal guidance or representation. We are proud to serve NY residents and families who have suffered due to a restaurant’s misdeeds.