The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella, a bacteria that is a common cause of food poisoning. At least six people associated with the outbreak consumed carnitas or other foods purchased on February 23 or 24, 2019, from the Supermercado Rivera kitchen counter located at 4334 W. 51st St., Chicago.
If you have carnitas or other food purchased from the kitchen counter at this establishment on February 23 or 24 in your freezer, do not eat—discard.
If you ate food purchased from the kitchen counter on these dates, you may have been exposed to Salmonella. Although most infections resolve without antibiotics, older individuals or those with weakened immune systems may need medical evaluation and treatment. If you are experiencing severe diarrhea, symptoms of dehydration, or high fever, seek medical attention. Most people who are infected develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps between 12 and 72 hours after eating contaminated food.
CDPH performed an environmental assessment of the grocery store and provided guidance on safe food handling practices and environmental cleaning to prevent further spread of disease. Implicated food items were no longer available at the store as of March 1, 2019 and at this point there is no evidence that food made after this date was contaminated.
CDPH is monitoring closely for additional reports of illness. If you experienced diarrheal illness after consuming foods from this establishment, contact the Chicago Department of Public Health by calling 312-746-SICK (7425) or emailing outbreak@cityofchicago.org to file a suspected food poisoning complaint.
Salmonella symptoms usually last four to seven days, and most individuals recover without any treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that Salmonella causes approximately one million illnesses and 450 deaths in the United States each year. CDPH has also issued an alert to area physicians about the outbreak, providing medical guidance.