wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather & SportsHealth Dept: foodborne illness at Zappos, issue corrected

Health Dept: foodborne illness at Zappos, issue corrected

SHEPERDSVILLE, KY (WAVE) - After 60 people went home sick, the Bullitt County Health Department confirms there was a foodborne outbreak at Zappos.

The bacteria that caused the sickness is a bacteria called 'bacillus cereus,' according to Dr. Swannie Jett, Bullitt County Public Health Director.

Health inspectors traced the source to Masterson's Catering. Zappos employees are served a free meal at the workplace.

"The outbreak has stopped. The proper controls are in place. Zappos and Masterson's have been very cooperative," Dr. Jett said.

In this case, the bacteria has been traced to food not served at the proper temperature.

"Any issues that did arise from maybe the handling have been resolved. So, there will not be any future instance I can see at this point," Dr. Jett said.

Employees are served a free meal at Zappos.

Health inspectors traced the sickness to food served to workers during an overnight shift Sunday into Monday.

The Health Department did not take food samples. Masterson's will not be fined. Health officials say Masterson's and Zappos have cooperated.

"There is no process in place to fine somebody. As long as somebody corrects the process, right now the health department is not in a regulatory state," Dr. Jett said.

More than 1,000 were served the same line of food. Health inspectors say while 60 became ill, and some checked out at area hospitals, this was still an isolated incident.

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