Dozens ill after eating Three Kings bread from cockroach-infested O.C. bakery

More than 30 people are sick after eating Rosca de Reyes bread, also known as Three Kings bread, distributed by Cholula’s Bakery in Santa Ana, the Orange County Health Agency said in a statement.

The agency closed the bakery after an investigation revealed traces of cockroach infestation.

The cake, which is typically eaten on Jan. 6 to celebrate Three Kings Day, was distributed to stores around Orange County. It is unclear whether the infestation directly caused the illnesses.

Those who reported illnesses experienced multiple symptoms, including dizziness, numbness, stomach aches and palpitations.

Stores who have the Three Kings bread from Cholula’s are being asked to remove it from their shelves, and those who purchased the bread are being advised to discard it.

The bread was sold at the following retailers:

Cholula’s Bakery, 1002 E. 17^th Street, Suite F, Santa Ana, (714) 972-3115; El Nopal Mercado, 31451 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, (949) 443-9145; La Bodega Ranch, 918 N. Glassell St. Orange, (714) 639-9199; La Bodega Ranch, 1700 North Placentia Ave., Fullerton, (714) 524-1432; Santa Ana Marquet, 1216 W. 1st St. Santa Ana, (714) 543-3655; Tony’s Liquor, 32141 Alipaz St. San Juan Capistrano, (949) 218-8090; Gonzalez Marquet, 235 W. La Jolla St. Placentia, (714) 632-8655; Taqueria Mocorito Restaurant, 1076 N. State College Blvd., Anaheim, (714) 491-2335; Taco Boy, 725 North Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, (714) 491-7156; Brianna’s Ice Cream, 2107 E. Ball Road Anaheim, (714) 635-6264; La Bodega Ranch Market, 4945 Long Beach Blvd. Long Beach, (562) 423-8400.

And if you really love Three Kings bread, maybe consider making it yourself instead. Here’s a great recipe we ran in 2011.

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