Overview of the Investigation

The L.A. County Department of Public Health has launched a major investigation into the Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria in Valencia following an alarming surge of food poisoning reports after patrons dined there last week.

Reports of Illnesses

Public Health officials informed the public that they began receiving numerous reports of gastrointestinal illnesses on Tuesday, relating specifically to meals consumed at the restaurant located at 27007 McBean Parkway. An official statement confirmed, 'The department’s Outbreak Investigation and Evaluation Unit is now involved in determining the severity and cause of this troubling incident.'

Health Department Action

In response to these reports, the health department has issued a survey aimed at those who dined at the restaurant to gather vital information regarding the nature of their illness and potential connections to their dining experience. Anyone affected is encouraged to participate and can find the survey at tinyurl.com/2p9zvahs. For inquiries, the food safety unit can be reached at 213-240-7941.

Increased Hospital Visits

Reports indicate that healthcare facilities, particularly Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, experienced a notable spike in food poisoning symptoms, with around 14% of patients visiting on Saturday displaying signs of illness, versus an average of 9%.

Restaurant Owner's Response

Ivan Vasquez, the owner of Madre Oaxacan, was alerted by restaurant health inspectors on Wednesday that four cases of salmonella had been connected to his establishment. Consequently, he made the decision to close the restaurant temporarily to ensure safety, announcing the shutdown around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. 'It’s unfortunate that this happened at my establishment,' commented Vasquez, who hopes to reopen once the health department clears the restaurant.

Inspection Results

An extensive inspection by Public Health, lasting nearly six hours, revealed that all food items were safe and that there were no significant unsanitary conditions found. Despite this, test kits for salmonella were distributed to employees for further investigation into how the bacteria may have been introduced.

Owner's Other Locations

Vasquez also operates other locations in West Hollywood, Torrance, and Culver City, which, according to him, have not faced similar issues. 'We want to stop the spread, but it didn't happen because the food was contaminated,' he asserted.

Local Residents' Experiences

Local residents have come forward with troubling accounts. James Williams, who dined with his family on Friday, reported that they all began exhibiting symptoms by the following day. 'After doing some digging on social media, I realized we weren’t the only ones getting sick,' he stated. Another local, identified only as Dana, echoed similar experiences, recounting how she and her family members fell ill after their visit, with her girlfriend suffering from a high fever as a result.

Testing and Internal Investigation

Both Dana and Williams have since submitted stool samples to determine if the source of their symptoms can be pinpointed. Meanwhile, Williams revealed that the restaurant owner proactively contacted him through an online review platform, seeking more details about his experience and assuring him that an internal investigation is underway. The owner is also reportedly checking with suppliers regarding possible product recalls.

Previous Inspections

Interestingly, a recent inspection by the health department earlier in March had rated the restaurant with an 'A,' despite noting a couple of violations, including improper food storage temperatures. Those violations did not affect the follow-up inspection conducted in April.

Community Concerns

As the investigation unfolds, patrons and community members are left anxious, wondering about the safety of their local dining establishments and if further measures will be required to ensure public health.