More Salmonella Food Poisoning Lawsuits to Be Filed Against RI Bakery

A Rhode Island bakery that is believed to be the source of a salmonella outbreak that has sickened nearly 80 people, will soon face more than a dozen food poisoning lawsuits from individuals who were sickened after eating their pastries. 

About 15 people have indicated they intend to bring a claim against DeFusco’s Bakery in Rhode Island, alleging that they suffered from salmonella food poisoning after eating zeppoles from the bakery. The zeppoles were recalled and the bakery shut down in March after the pastries were linked to the salmonella outbreak.

On March 25, the Rhode Island Department of Health announced a DeFusco’s Bakery zeppoles recall, indicating that the pastry shells used to make the zeppoles were stored in egg crates and most likely came into contact with raw eggs. Before DeFusco’s agreed to voluntarily shut down, it had already sold its zeppoles to other bakeries that may have distributed the pastries to customers throughout Rhode Island and surrounding states.

The virulent illnesses believed to have been caused by those pastries have struck at least 79 people, hospitalized nearly 30 people and may be connected to the deaths of two elderly victims as well.

The plaintiffs in the salmonella lawsuits are expected to file claims for medical expenses, pain and suffering and negligence, according to a report by WPRI.com. One DeFusco’s food poisoning lawsuit has already been filed by the mother of a Massachusetts minor who was hospitalized after eating two DeFusco’s zeppoles. 

On Monday, Rhode Island health officials ordered DeFusco’s Bakery locations to remain closed. Investigators have issued compliance orders instructing the bakery’s employees to submit stool samples for testing in state laboratories.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing mild to severe food poisoning. For most healthy adults, symptoms of food poisoning from salmonella typically resolve after a few days or weeks. However, young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems have an increased risk of suffering severe food poisoning after ingesting the bacteria. If not properly treated, some cases of salmonella food poisoning can lead to hospitalization, dehydration or death.