Illness outbreak linked to unlicensed Pierce County caterer

TACOMA, Wash. - The Tacoma-Pierce County Health department has a warning for people planning big events after an unlicensed caterer was linked to a salmonella outbreak.

Several people fell ill after a Pierce County caterer, Mr. Rick's Catering, served food at a Snohomish County event. Laboratory tests confirmed salmonella made several people sick.  The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department fined the business $710 for operating without a permit.

The department is reminding people to only choose licensed caterers.

“Good food should taste good, but it should also be safe for you to eat,” said Rachel Knight, food safety program manager at Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. “Local caterers with the appropriate permit to prepare and serve food at events are responsible for following food safety rules—and protecting the public’s health."

The Department compiled a list of all permitted caterers - you can find it here.