Chicago Taqueria Linked to Salmonella Food Poisoning Outbreak

Illinois health officials are warning about a salmonella food poisoning outbreak that has emerged, after dozens of illnesses were traced back to a taqueria in Chicago.

Consumers have fallen ill after eating at Carniceria Guanajuato, leading to an investigation by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The agencies issued a public health warning on September 15, warning consumers that food purchased from the taqueria after August 29, 2023, may be contaminated with Salmonella and should be thrown away.

At least 55 people have reportedly suffered salmonella food poisoning after eating prepared food from the taqueria, located at 3140 North California Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Chicago health officials say 10 of those individuals have been hospitalized, one of whom became severely ill, requiring a ventilator and dialysis treatment.

Public health inspectors investigated the restaurant and grocery store on September 8 and found several health violations, including raw beef and raw shelled eggs stored above ready-to-eat foods, as well as food items stored at improper temperatures.

Carniceria Guanajuato voluntarily closed after the inspection and is working with public health officials to correct the violations before reopening. The restaurant was ordered to sanitize food preparation areas, install working thermometers in their coolers, and correct the labeling of store prepared foods.

Salmonella infection symptoms normally appear from 6 hours to 6 days after eating contaminated food, and usually last between four to seven days. Most individuals experience abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and fever, but older individuals or those with weakened immune systems may experience severe symptoms that require medical treatment.

CDPH officials are still working to determine the root cause of the Salmonella outbreak, and request that consumers who experienced diarrheal illness after eating at Carniceria Guanajuato to file a suspected food poisoning complaint at outbreak@cityofchicago.org.

At least five different lawsuits have been filed against the restaurant by individuals who were hospitalized with Salmonella food poisoning illnesses, according to various media reports, but no details on the lawsuits were available at press time.