An outbreak of ammonia poisoning from chicken tenders served in a school lunch

16Citations
Citations of this article
21Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Although foodborne outbreaks of illness are relatively common, they are rarely caused by chemical agents. An outbreak of gastrointestinal illness occurred among students at two schools shortly after lunch was served. A cohort study, an environmental investigation, and microbiological and toxicological laboratory testing of food samples were performed. A case was defined as a student or teacher who ate food prepared in the kitchen at school A on 25 November 2002 (and served at schools A and B) and who later developed headache or symptoms of gastrointestinal tract irritation, with onset within 180 min of eating lunch. Among 312 persons interviewed, 157 persons became ill (attack rate = 49%; attack rate 41% for school A, 11% for school B). Onset of illness occurred within 60 min for 81% of cases; 91% of students reported that their chicken tenders smelled unusual. Eating chicken tenders that smelled unusual was associated with being a case (relative risk 9.2, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 62.6, P < 0.05). Ammonia was detected in uncooked chicken tenders at levels as high as 2,468 ppm. The chicken had been contaminated during a warehouse leak of ammonia refrigerant. This outbreak of ammonia poisoning is only the second reported in food, and the first in a solid food. Heated chicken tenders contaminated with ammonia can cause acute illness within a short period of time.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Dworkin, M. S., Patel, A., Fennell, M., Vollmer, M., Bailey, S., Bloom, J., … Lucht, R. (2004). An outbreak of ammonia poisoning from chicken tenders served in a school lunch. Journal of Food Protection, 67(6), 1299–1302. https://doi.org/10.4315/0362-028X-67.6.1299

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free