Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Cronut burger's maple-bacon jam source of food-poisoning outbreak

Epic Burgers and Waffles will be open again at the Canadian National Exhibition -- but the cronut burger is off the menu.

Toronto Public Health confirmed Tuesday that the maple-bacon jam toppingon the cronut burger was the source of the food-borne illness outbreak that struck around 223 people at the CNE last week.

In a press release, public health said they will allow the burger maker - Epic Burgers and Waffles - to reopen Tuesday provided they no longer serve up the jam on the headline-grabbing burger.

On Friday, public health confirmed samples of the cronut burger tested positive for Staphylococcus aureus toxin - a nasty bacteria that can cause food-borne illness.

Public health said further tests confirmed the topping contained the bacteria and was the source of the illnesses.

“New lab results indicate that the maple bacon jam, which is one component of the cronut burger, is the cause of food-borne illnesses at the CNE,”

Dr. David McKeown, chief medical officer of health, stated Tuesday. “We have ensured the contaminated product is not served. There is no risk to the public.”

The public health investigation is now focusing on the supplier of the bacon jam, Le Dolci - a bakery that partnered with Epic Burgers in making the cronut burger.

“TPH will ensure that there will be no distribution of food products including the bacon jam from that establishment pending further investigation,” public health stated.

“Epic Burger and Waffles will be allowed to reopen at the CNE today as long as they do not serve the maple-bacon jam from this supplier and all food-safety requirements are met.”

In a statement on their Facebook page, Epic Burgers stressed public health confirmed their burgers “continue to be safe and of a high standard.”

The eatery said Le Dolci is no longer a supplier.

“The jam was used as a topping solely on one of our menu items, the cronut burger,” the statement read.

“As a result of this finding Epic Burgers and Waffles have decided to remove the cronut burger from our menu and we will no longer do business with the aforementioned supplier.”

Epic Burgers concluded by saying they look forward to serving up food again to CNE visitors.

“With the green light to reopen given to us by the city’s health unit. We look forward to serving the public for the remainder of the CNE and well into the future,” the company stated.

Le Dolci posted a statement on its Facebook page Tuesday afternoon.

"Some of you may have heard the news today. We thank all of our loyal customers, friends and family for their support and kind words," the company stated. "At present we are fully cooperating with Toronto Public Health and will update you as soon as we can."

Earlier in the day, Le Dolci said it was closed the rest of the week due to a summer holiday.

In an additional statement, the bakery said the holiday was "planned months ago."

"We will comment when we have further updates and news to share," the statement concluded.
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