Officials with Public Health — Seattle & King County said Wednesday that up to 16 people may have been sickened last month by Salmonella from raw eggs served in sauce for eggs Benedict during a Father’s Day brunch at Tallulah’s restaurant. There were nine confirmed and seven probable cases, and one victim was hospitalized, according to a story in Wednesday’s Seattle Times. The victims reportedly ranged in age from 4 to 71. The illnesses were linked to the restaurant’s June 21 brunch offering of crab and ham eggs Benedict. Tallulah’s regular brunch menu features a house Benedict on brioche with Virginia ham. After diners complained of illness, the restaurant’s management reportedly contacted health officials and has been cooperating with the investigation. Subsequent checks with Tallulah’s egg supplier and distributer found no safety violations, according to the health department, and no recent positive Salmonella tests were reported. However, the producer apparently does not routinely test raw shell eggs for the presence of Salmonella bacteria. Some tips for lowering the risk of Salmonella infection from eggs can be found here. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, in some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)