Mass Food Poisoning Occurs At Seafood Distributor In Maryland

A mass food poisoning incident in Jessup, Maryland, left 46 people seeking medical attention.

The mass food poisoning occurred at NAFCO Wholesale Seafood Distributors in Jessup, Maryland, and was caused by homemade food brought by an employee.

The Howard County Health Department stated, “An investigation has preliminarily determined that an employee prepared food at his home over the weekend, ultimately serving the homemade food to fellow employees who became sick yesterday.”

Many who became sick after eating the contaminated food were sent to the hospital but are expected to recover.

No deaths were reported.

Officials say that food made by an employee and brought in to share with coworkers left 46 people seeking medical attention at NAFCO Wholesale Seafood Distributors. MORE: https://t.co/Cyeh8HyY03 pic.twitter.com/BejFrVILAe

— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) October 23, 2024

Fox 5 DC had these details to report:

NAFCO Wholesale Seafood Distributors in Jessup, Maryland, says Monday’s mass food poisoning incident, which left 46 people seeking medical attention, was caused by homemade food prepared by an employee.

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“The [Howard County Health Department] investigation has preliminarily determined that an employee prepared food at his home over the weekend, ultimately serving the homemade food to fellow employees who became sick yesterday,” the company said in a statement released Tuesday.

In the hours following the meal, nearly 50 workers displayed symptoms of food poisoning.

“NAFCO wishes those affected a safe and speedy recovery,” the company added.

They clarified that no consumers or other outlets were impacted.

On Monday, emergency responders from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services arrived at the facility on Chesapeake Bay Court around 3:45 p.m. following reports of multiple workers feeling unwell.

All 46 adults were evaluated at the scene and transported to nearby hospitals. Fortunately, none of the patients were in critical condition and were treated and monitored before being released. Emergency teams from Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties provided additional assistance.

Employee's homemade meal blamed for mass food poisoning at Maryland seafood distributor https://t.co/HqFtTE2gIF

— Allison Papson (@AllisonPapson) October 23, 2024

Per USA Today:

Forty-six people were hospitalized in Maryland after firefighters received reports of multiple people with food poisoning in Jessup, Maryland.

Firefighters and paramedics from the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services responded to the scene at 3:45 p.m. Monday in Jessup, about 15 miles southwest of Baltimore, according to a news release published by Howard County Fire and Rescue Services.

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Victims were evaluated and taken to multiple area hospitals in different counties but were non-critical after they ate the same meal, according to the department.

The victims were believed to have eaten food at the NAFCO Wholesale Seafood Distributor, reported Fox 5 DC.