An unusual outbreak of food-poisoning associated with meals-on-wheels

Abstract

An outbreak of food-poisoning after a meals-on-wheels lunch affected 49 persons, 1 of whom died. Bacillus cereus serotype 10 and Bacillus licheniformis were isolated in large numbers from many of the patients including the deceased and from the remains of the meal. Clostridium perfringens (C. welchii) serotype 68, which was isolated from many of the patients and the deceased but not from the food, may also have been responsible. Food kept warm during distribution can produce an ideal environment for bacterial multiplication and similar outbreaks may occur again.