A homemade Filipino dish sends 46 employees to the hospital in a mass food poisoning incident at a Maryland seafood distributor.
At a Glance
- 46 adults hospitalized after consuming homemade pancit at NAFCO Wholesale Seafood Distributors
- Incident occurred in company parking lot, not linked to NAFCO’s commercial products
- Howard County Health Department launches investigation to identify cause
- NAFCO maintains high safety standards; no risk to consumers of their seafood products
- Company bans outside food on premises following the incident
Mass Food Poisoning Strikes Maryland Seafood Distributor
A shocking incident of mass food poisoning has rocked NAFCO Wholesale Seafood Distributors in Jessup, Maryland. The event, which occurred during a parking lot gathering, resulted in the hospitalization of 46 adults after they consumed a homemade Filipino dish called pancit. This alarming situation has raised serious questions about food safety practices and the potential risks of consuming homemade meals in workplace settings.
The Howard County Fire and EMS responded to the emergency call around 3:40 p.m., evaluating 46 patients who had reportedly eaten the same food. All affected individuals were transported to Howard County General Hospital in non-critical condition. The sheer number of patients forced the hospital to declare a “mini disaster alert,” highlighting the severity of the situation.
NAFCO Wholesale Seafood Distributors in Jessup, Maryland, says Monday's mass food poisoning incident, which left 46 people seeking medical attention, was caused by homemade food prepared by an employee. https://t.co/xWPPqgHfhv
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) October 23, 2024
NAFCO’s Response and Safety Standards
In the wake of this alarming incident, NAFCO has been quick to address public concerns and emphasize their commitment to safety. The company has made it clear that the food poisoning was not caused by any of their seafood products, but rather by an outside source brought in for lunch.
“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,” NAFCO’s parent company Stanley Pearlman Enterprises said in a statement.
Investigation Underway
The Howard County Health Department has launched a thorough investigation into the incident. Authorities are working diligently to identify the exact cause of the illness and determine whether the poisoning was intentional or accidental. Dr. Clifford Mitchell, leading the investigation, outlined their approach:
“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,” Dr. Mitchell said.
