The agency reported 13 cases of foodborne illness in the county. County and public health officials with the Tennessee Department of Health jointly investigated the illnesses for two months. Local news reports stated the investigation linked the outbreak to three restaurants: Oliver Royale, Good Golly Tamale and Savory and Sweet Truck.
The investigation resulted in a small recall of 410 lbs. of ground beef that tested positive forE. coliO157:H7. The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the US Dept. of Agriculture said a traceback investigation led to Snapp’s Ferry Packing Company in Afton, Tenn.
Snapp’s Ferry produced the ground beef on Nov. 20. The product was later distributed to restaurants in Knoxville, the agency said. None of the affected product was sold at retail.
Dr. Martha Buchanan, director of the Knox County Health Department, said none of the individuals sickened by the product required hospitalization, and further risk of illness had been mitigated.
