Oklahoma officials clear Locust Grove eatery to open
BY NOLAN CLAY
Published: November 21, 2008
LOCUST GROVE — State health officials have decided a restaurant blamed for a food-poisoning outbreak can reopen, but its owners still face an uncertain future because some customers plan to sue.
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The owners’ attorney, A. Mark Smiling of Tulsa, said, "They were trying to get open this week, whenever they get restaffed.”
The Country Cottage, a popular buffet-style restaurant, closed Aug. 25 after customers began suffering from severe diarrhea and other problems. One customer died. Health officials said they believe several foods at the restaurant became contaminated with rare toxin-producing bacteria known as E. coli 0111.
Health officials cleared the restaurant to reopen after owners Kenneth and Linda Moore completed a series of steps. The fixes included "a thorough cleaning and disinfection of all floors, walls, tables, coolers, food preparation surfaces and food-serving surfaces.”
The owners also installed three additional hand-washing sinks and disconnected from a private water well. Under an agreement, all employees must complete a food handlers’ class and employees with diarrhea cannot come in to work.
Health inspectors on Nov. 12 checked for bacteria at 35 locations in the restaurant including the ice cream machine and rest room door handles. Nothing was found.
Attorney Fred Pritzker of Minnesota, who represents many of the victims, said the restaurant had insufficient insurance to compensate outbreak victims. He said the owners ought to pledge part of their future income to the victims.
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