Foie Gras Likely Culprit In Food Poisoning At Kirkland Restaurant

KIRKLAND, WA - King County health officials believe foie gras is likely behind a recent outbreak of food poisoning at a Kirkland restaurant. At least two people came down with campylobacteriosis after eating at the Cafe Juanita at the end of June. King County was aware of the first case, but wasn't able to confirm the second illness until Aug. 16.

King County officials inspected the restaurant on Aug. 17 and found employees were cooking foie gras (which is fattened duck or goose liver) to the right temperature, but were not checking the cooking temperature with a thermometer.

"Although [the foie gras] reached a safe temperature during the inspection, workers had not been using a thermometer. They were instructed to use a food thermometer to ensure that all foods are reaching the correct temperatures to kill harmful bacteria that may be present. The restaurant worked cooperatively with Public Health," the health department wrote of its inspection.

Health investigators are still working to confirm whether the foie gras was the culprit or another item the two sick people ate.

Campylobacteriosis, however, is closely associated with undercooked meat juices, from poultry in particular. Campylobacteriosis is also a risk when consuming unpasteurized milk or cheese. The bacteria causes cramps, diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Campylobacter can be spread from human-to-human, although such transmission is rare, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

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