378 People Sick After Chicago Food Fest, 32 Have Salmonella

CHICAGO (AP) _ The number of people sickened after eating hummus at the Taste of Chicago food festival last week reached 378 Friday, the health department said. <br/><br/>The Chicago Department of Health

Friday, July 13th 2007, 8:33 pm

By: News On 6

CHICAGO (AP) _ The number of people sickened after eating hummus at the Taste of Chicago food festival last week reached 378 Friday, the health department said.

The Chicago Department of Health was investigating the cases and confirmed that 32 of the illnesses were caused by salmonella poisoning. The number could rise because lab results are pending in some cases.

Twelve people were known to have been hospitalized, officials said.

The only dish connected to the outbreak was an herb tomato cucumber salad that was served on hummus, health officials said. All the reports of sickness came from people who ate at the booth run by Pars Cove Persian Cuisine.

The health department ordered Pars Cove to stop serving hummus at its restaurant until further notice as a precaution. The restaurant's management was cooperating fully in the health department's investigation, officials said.

It was the first confirmed outbreak of a food-borne illness associated with the Taste of Chicago in at least 20 years, the health department said in a release. The 10-day outdoor festival, which ended Sunday, brings out food from more than 70 restaurants and concerts.