Gate Gourmet Shigella Outbreak Litigation

In September, 2004, health agencies from several U.S. states, as well as international health agencies, began reporting persons ill with Shigella sonnei infections. An epidemiological investigation conducted by the Hawaii Department of Health, in collaboration with other health agencies, revealed that a cluster of persons ill with a genetically identical strain of Shigella had traveled by air from Honolulu, Hawaii during August 22 through 24, 2004. The investigation established that food from airline caterer Gate Gourmet, Inc.’s Honolulu, Hawaii location was a common link between airlines and the cluster of persons ill with Shigella.

Gate Gourmet, Inc.’s Honolulu facility came under fire after an inspection by the Food and Drug Administration for numerous federal food safety violations in April, 2005. Investigators found pests and vermin, food stored at temperatures over fifty degrees higher than what is considered safe, and a ‘pink slimy substance’ in the washing machine. (The original FDA warning letter can be found at Shigella lawsuit filed against airline caterer.
More plaintiffs seek punitive damages in lawsuit against airline caterer.

More news on the Gate Gourmet Shigella outbreak can be found on the Marler Clark-sponsored Web site about Shigella.