Wentworthville restaurant investigated after mass food poisoning

A SUSPECTED mass outbreak of food poisoning at a Chinese restaurant at Wenty Leagues is being investigated by the NSW Food Authority.

Up to 35 patrons – including 10 children – were believed to be struck ill after an ­evening out in September at the Jasmine Restaurant.

Three of the guests ended up in hospital, including a seven-year-old girl and four-year-old boy, and an adult who tested positive for salmonella.

Wenty Leagues chief executive Mark Sheridan said the alleged incident on September 23 was being managed through the proper authorities.

“All inspections have been passed to the satisfaction of council and the food authority and the Jasmine Restaurant continues to trade,” Mr Sheridan said.

A group of 59 friends and family had eaten the banquet dinner on a Tuesday evening in honour of a 60th birthday.

They included mother of three Katrina Santos-Monses, who fell violently ill and two of her children, who were also affected.

“The food seemed nice,” Mrs Santos-Monses said. “But I did later suspect the fried ice-cream as it was melted inside and didn’t look like it normally does.”

The next day Mrs Santos-Monses and her children Cassandra, 7, and Sophie, 4, began suffering diarrhoea, abdominal pain and high fever. She missed work and the children missed school and were ill the rest of the week.

A few days later, on the Saturday, during her six-month-old son’s christening ceremony at Sacred Heart Church at Cabramatta, she collapsed. Both she and Cassandra were taken to Fairfield Hospital.

“I was so sick – but so sad to miss his christening. My husband stayed and took care of the guests and went to the function afterwards and I was placed on an IV drip at the hospital.”

It was at the christening that guests began to realise more people were affected by the outbreak.

“It was like pieces of the puzzle were put together. There were cousins, uncles, so many people affected,” she said.

Medical tests were positive for salmonella for her and her daughter.

A NSW Food Authority spokeswoman confirmed the investigation was continuing into the outbreak.

“A Prohibition Order relating to the sale of certain food products at the premises was issued by the NSW Food Authority and remains in place,” the spokeswoman said.

Mrs Santos-Monses is concerned at the length of time the investigation has taken.

“I’m mad that nobody has contacted me, to apologise or let me know what’s happened,” she said.

Source: Parramatta Advertiser, Clarissa Bye, 2^nd December 2015
Originally published as: Wentworthville restaurant investigated after mass food poisoning