Tainted Desserts Sicken 100 People, Bakery Pulls Products
UPDATED 12/24/10 8:38 a.m.
CHICAGO (CBS/WBBM) - If you ordered a pastry from Rolf's Patisserie in Lincolnwood to grace your Christmas table for dessert, you'll have to find a replacement.
As WBBM Newsradio 780's Nancy Harty reports, Rolf's, a wholesale and retail sales bakery located at 4343 Touhy Ave. in Lincolnwood, is voluntarily recalling all its desserts.
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The bakery is warning people not to eat any of its products made after Nov. 1, and is telling retailers and restaurants to pull products from their shelves, according to a release from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The bakery is closed while public health officials investigate four cases of foodborne illness that have sickened at least 100 people. Some became ill after eating the desserts at an unnamed restaurant, while others were sickened after a holiday party, a catered party or company event.
Initial laboratory tests shows one food item to be contaminated with high levels of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that produces toxins in foods that can make people ill. The Staph bacteria can spread if a person with a staph infection has an uncovered lesion or sore that comes in contact with food or food processing equipment, the release said.
The toxins produced by the bacteria can cause rapid, acute symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramping, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's "Bad Bug Book" on foodborne illnesses. More severe cases can also cause headaches or changes in blood pressure and pulse, and recovery can take two days or more, according to the FDA.
The recall includes food made after Nov. 1 that individuals or businesses may have already purchased for the holidays.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
