Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cooler at County Fair

As the weather starts to warm up, more outdoor activities are being planned. They typically involve food stands or picnics where portable coolers or ice chests are used to keep food and beverages cold.

A 2024 Salmonella enterica outbreak happened at a county fair in Illinois that was linked to a cooler that was reused multiple days without proper cleaning which led to contaminated ice. The beverage cans in the cooler were then contaminated. No other foods or other environmental factors were linked to this outbreak.

Clean ice chests after every use, even if it only contained beverages. Wash and scrub the interior with warm water and soap to remove any residue. Rinse well. Then sanitize with a solution of one tablespoon bleach per gallon of water. Drain and let air dry completely.

At-Home Safe Food Handling: It’s in Your Hands – Kansas State Extension