The outbreak that killed two elderly men sent 28 others to hospitals and sickened 78 people in Rhode Island and one in Massachusetts. Rhode Island’s largest salmonella outbreak in more than a decade, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has drawn attention to poor food handling practices by the now closed DeFusco’s Bakery, which also distributed the zeppole to senior centers and churches, and to lack of oversight by the understaffed and underfunded state health department.
Created by joeyanna125 on Jul 6, 2011
Last updated: 07/27/11 at 12:58 PM
Tags: foodsafety health news21 ASU
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Furness is appointed permanent receiver of DeFusco's to investigate the financial matters associated with the business.
Source: Sinapi, Formisano & Co.
http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/215809-perm-recvr.html
Stephen DeFusco’s company goes into receivership, and the financial responsibilities of the bakery are temporarily overseen by attorney Peter Furness.
Source: Sinapi, Formisano & Co.
http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/215812-temp-recvr.html
The state announces that all remaining food from the bakery tested negative for salmonella.
Source: Rhode Island Department of Health
http://www.ri.gov/press/view/13663
Rhode Island orders DeFusco’s to close until further notice, clean the facilities and pay fees and fines.
Source: Rhode Island Department of Health
http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/215902-immed-comp-order2.html
A Rhode Island man in his 90s dies after eating a tainted zeppole, the second death reported from the salmonella outbreak.
Source: MSNBC.com
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42500605/ns/health-food_safety/t/nd-death-reported-ri-salmonella-outbreak/
Erin Carrera, mother of a Rehoboth, Mass., 16-year-old sickened by DeFusco’s zeppole, sues the bakery for negligence, breach of warranty and strict product liability.
Source: WPRI.com
http://media2.wpri.com/_local/pdf_files/carrera-v-defusco.pdf
Health inspectors collect samples at the Johnston location for testing at the state lab.
Source: Rhode Island Department of Health
Clinical Lab Scientist Kristina Borden examines salmonella in a petri dish inside the Rhode Island Dept. of Health laboratory. Photo by Kyle Bruggeman
http://www.health.ri.gov/programs/laboratory/index.php
The Rhode Island Department of Health learns of the outbreak after 15 West Shore Health Center residents become ill.
Owner Stephen DeFusco voluntarily closes the bakery after inspectors find serious food safety violations at both locations.
The state announces a salmonella outbreak linked to DeFusco’s Bakery.
Source: Rhode Island Department of Health
Photo by Kyle Bruggeman
http://www.ri.gov/press/view/13478
Frank Castelli Sr.’s family takes him off life support. Source: Frank Castelli Jr. Frank Castelli Jr. reminisces about his father. Photo by Kyle Bruggeman
Frank Castelli Sr., 84, hospitalized after collapsing at home, is diagnosed with salmonella. Source: Frank Castelli Jr. Frank Castelli Jr. keeps this photo of his father on the mantel in his Cranston home. Photo courtesy the Castelli family
The holy day honors the birth of St. Joseph.
"St Joseph with the Infant Jesus" by Guido Reni
Source: Wikipedia.org
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph's_Day
More than a dozen churches, nursing homes and bakeries begin purchasing zeppole from DeFusco’s to celebrate St. Joseph’s Day.
Source: Rhode Island Department of Health
Photo by Kyle Bruggeman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeppole
DeFusco’s is cited for a leaking faucet and no trash can or light in the women’s restroom. Two follow-up inspections show that the broken faucet is still leaking.
Source: Marler Clark
http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/215921-cranston-inspections3.html
DeFusco’s is cited for housekeeping issues in the walk-in freezer and a loose gasket on the freezer door.
Source: Marler Clark
http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/215808-johnston-inspection.html
DeFusco’s fails to renew its food processor retail license, which is suspended, and continues to sell products.
Source: Rhode Island Department of Health
http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/215807-immed-comp-order.html
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