ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (KWQC/Gray News) – An unlicensed home-based catering business in Illinois has been ordered to cease operations after dozens of people were sickened at a football team dinner.
According to the Rock Island Health Department, it was notified of a foodborne illness outbreak that stemmed from a Rock Island football team dinner that took place on Sept. 24 in the school cafeteria.
High School Football: Rock Island(KWQC)
Health department officials said the dinner was catered by a home-based business called Sunshine and Spice.
Players, coaches and parents who attended the dinner were served fajita chicken, seasoned taco beef, cheese, flour taco shells, cheesy pepper beans, cilantro corn rice and Pico de Gallo salsa.
Seventy-five people were served the meal, and at least 45 were reported sick, causing the team to postpone its homecoming football game.
Just hours after the dinner, 23 players, five coaches and three parents reported symptoms, which included vomiting and diarrhea.
Officials said no one was hospitalized, but one player did have to visit a doctor.
The health department reported that most symptoms were over within 24 hours.
Health department officials noted that they met with the owner of Sunshine and Spice and learned the business was unlicensed and not food-safety certified. They then ordered the business to shut down, with the option of getting properly certified.
Officials said the owner told the health department that all ingredients were purchased from the Moline Walmart, Spotted Apron in Geneseo and farmers’ markets in Davenport and Coal Valley.
Joshua Harris, owner of Sunshine and Spice, released the following statement regarding the situation:
“First, Sunshine and Spice wants to sincerely apologize and send even more prayers to anyone affected by last week’s Rock Island football team meal.
We provided a taco bar-style potluck before the team was dismissed to prepare for their homecoming game. All of the food purchased from Walmart was fully cooked. We put all of the leftovers in plastic bags provided by the team parents for anyone to take home.
We have cooked for numerous parents of the team/school in the past and have no reason ever to provide a sub-standard meal or purposely attempt any tampering shenanigans. We are saddened by this whole situation.
We have been working side by side with the Rock Island County Health Department and Rock Island City/County Law Enforcement Agencies to be a part of their continuing investigations.
Again, we want to extend our deepest apologies and continued prayers to those affected.”
The investigation into the food poisoning remained active pending test results for pathogens in the food seized by the county, health officials said.
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