Five ill with E. coli after eating at Mill Woods restaurant

Mama Nita’s remains open as AHS investigates

Five people have been sickened by E. coli after eating at Mama Nita’s Binalot restaurant in southeast Edmonton, Alberta Health Services said Thursday.

While the health authority has yet to pinpoint the source of the bacteria, officials are warning anyone who has dined at the restaurant since March 15 to see a doctor if they have symptoms, and mention they may have been exposed to E. coli.

The five sick patrons all ate at the restaurant within the same time frame, but were not part of the same group and did not have the same meals, AHS medical officer of health Dr. Jasmine Hasselback said.

“We don’t have any other linkages, so we are still asking a lot of questions,” she said.

Health inspectors visited Mama Nita’s on Tuesday and the operators are co-operating, Hasselback said. The restaurant has remained open during the investigation.

AHS restaurant inspection records show Mama Nita’s has been cited for eight violations during the last two years, including improperly leaving meat at room temperature, dirty cloths and sponges in the kitchen and a lack of hand-washing materials.

However, Hasselback said every restaurant tends to have room for improvement, and Mama Nita’s has been generally compliant with regulations.

“They do have what we would consider reasonable standards that are being met,” she said.

“Of course as this evolves, (closing the establishment) is always an action that can be taken. But at this time, I do not believe there is sufficient risk that has not been appropriately mitigated to justify closing the restaurant.”

Lab tests confirmed the five patrons were infected with E. coli O157:H7, which can cause diarrhea that may be bloody. In a small proportion of cases, the bacteria can lead to severe symptoms such as kidney failure. In this case, none of the five patients has required a hospital stay or shown signs of complications, AHS said.

E. coli infections are typically caused by consuming food or drink contaminated with human or animal feces, or by direct contact with infected people or animals. Symptoms can occur up to 10 days after eating contaminated food, and usually go away on their own within 10 days.

Hasselback said improperly cooked beef and pork are common culprits for such infections, although fresh produce can also sometimes carry the bug.

She said stocks of food that were served at the time patrons got infected can’t be tested, because the restaurant has used it all up.

Public health officials are now working with staff to improve their hand hygiene, re-educate workers on food safety and monitor foodhandling processes, she said.

As well, Mama Nita’s staff have been asked to submit stool samples to determine if a worker has been carrying the bacteria.

A spokesperson for the restaurant could not be reached for comment.