Milkshakes from contaminated ice-cream machine leads to the tragic deaths of three people

Hot summer weather is a great time to enjoy cold milkshakes and ice-creams. Unfortunately, summer also happens to be a time when food-borne infections tends to thrive. There are serious health risks of consuming products contaminated by bacteria like listeria.

Over the past couple of months, many products have been recalled for a variety of reasons including choking hazard, as well as possible contamination with dangerous bacteria. However, some food recalls could come too late, well after the consumers have suffers the terrible, and sometimes deadly consequences of infection.

In one such unfortunate instance, as reported by Insider, three people's death in Washington have now been linked to the milkshakes they consumed in a Frugals restaurant. Here's what happened.

Many people hospitalised due to contaminated milkshake

Several diner who had milkshake from a Tacoma fast-food restaurant between February 27 and July 22, faced serious adverse reactions from their drinks.

Washington State Department of Health informed that the contamination of the milkshakes happened due to the staff at the restaurant not cleaning their ice-cream machines properly. The unclean environment provided a rich ground for listeria bacteria to thrive.

The restaurant has since stopped using the ice-cream machines, but as per health authorities, symptoms of listeria infections could surface up to 70 days after initial exposure. So people who consumed ice-cream at the store during the slated time-period still face potential health risks.

The infection weakens people's immune system, and could be fatal.

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Frugals' response to the terrible incident

Frugals has posted a statement to its Facebook, that it has been fully cooperating and supporting the ongoing investigation. The brand has stopped the sales of milkshakes at all its locations with ice-cream machines. It is also testing the machines at all its other stores for signs of Listeria contamination.

The company also expressed its regret over the incident, saying,

We are heartbroken and deeply regret any harm our actions could have caused

As per the CDC, about 1,600 people contract listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. This infection is especially dangerous for people with weak immunity, pregnant women and their newborns, and adults aged 65 or older.

Common symptoms of listeria include include fever and flu-like symptoms, seizures, headaches, muscle fatigue, loss of balance, a stiff neck, and confusion.

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Sources used:

Insider: 'An ice cream machine that wasn't cleaned properly led to the deaths of 3 people in Washington, officials say'
CDC: 'Listeria'