The Washington Department of Health has announced that three Washington residents have died and a total of six (five from Pierce County and one from Thurston County) developed severe illness due to infection with Listeria bacteria (listeriosis).  The sickened people developed severe listeriosis infections between February 27 and July 22, 2023.  The health department has traced the outbreak to the Frugal’s restaurant in Tacoma.  All six people had conditions which made their immune systems less able to fight disease.  Genetic fingerprinting (whole genome sequencing) of the bacteria indicated that the same food was likely responsible for making all six people sick.  All milkshake flavors have tested positive for listeriosis.

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection that can often be transmitted through contaminated food.  It occurs most commonly in unpasteurized and cold foods, including dairy, cold cuts, deli salads, and cut melons.  Most people with health immune systems face low risk from listeriosis, but people with weakened immunity may be at high risk if exposed.

Anyone who is high risk for invasive listeriosis infection (people aged 65 years or older, people with compromised immune systems and people who are pregnant) should contact their health care provider immediately if they consumed milkshakes of any flavor from Frugals-Tacoma between May 29 and August 7, 2023 and develop any of the following symptoms:

Fever

Flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue

Headache

Stiff Neck

Confusion

Loss of balance

Seizures

Herrmann Law Group expresses its sympathies to the families of the Pierce and Thurston County residents who died or became seriously ill with listeria infections from Frugals restaurant.  These tragic deaths and illnesses should never have happened.    As national leader in the litigation of wrongful death and serious injury cases, including the Jack-in-the Box e-coli cases, Herrmann Law Group understands how our food safety system should prevent these incidents from occurring.  We extend our heartfelt condolences and best wishes to the families of the deceased and to those who were sickened.

Steve Trinen is a member of the Herrmann Law Group litigation team with over 20 years of trial experience.  He is the lead attorney in our Tacoma office.  His practice is focused on wrongful death, serious injury, major disasters including airplane crashes, as well as civil rights violations.  He has handled multiple cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and Washington Supreme Court.

Links To Additional Information About The Outbreak And How To Prevent Listeriosis:

Washington Department of Health

https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/illness-and-disease-z/foodborne-illness/outbreaks/2023-listeriosis-unknown-source

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/index.html#:~:text=Learn%20about%20an%20outbreak%20of%20Listeria%20linked%20to%20ice%20cream.,-Listeria%20information%20en&text=Listeriosis%20is%20a%20serious%20infection,year%2C%20and%20about%20260%20die.