Caterer without permit linked to Salmonella outbreak

A rogue caterer who has been operating without proper permits since at least 2012 has been named in a rare move by public health officials in Tacoma, WA. Operating as Mr. Rick’s Catering, Rick Stevenson’s food is the suspected vehicle in a Salmonella outbreak that could impact 175 people in multiple counties.

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department officials named Stevenson and his unpermitted catering operation Wednesday in a news release reminding the public to use caution when hiring caterers. “The state Department of Health continues to investigate the outbreak, which could impact as many as 175 people in King, Kitsap, Pierce, Spokane and other counties,” according to the Tacoma-Pierce County release. “While the effort to learn how many people were sickened is still underway, laboratory tests have confirmed the illness is Salmonella.” A spokeswoman for the state Department of Health told the News Tribune newspaper in Tacoma that three confirmed cases of Salmonella infection have been confirmed among attendees of a July 2 event in Snohomish County. Julie Graham said at least a dozen more people responded to a survey of attendees, saying they also were sickened, according to the Tacoma newspaper. “Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has notified Mr. Rick’s Catering not to operate several times since 2012, and as a result of the incident in Snohomish County, recently issued a $710 fee for continuing to operate without a permit,” according to the news release posted Wednesday. “In the interest of protecting public health, and because the business owner continues to advertise as a viable business, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department has opted to name the unpermitted caterer.” (To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)