The Nation - News from Dec. 27, 1988

Showing “classic symptoms” of food poisoning, 28 residents and staff members of a New York drug rehabilitation center were treated by emergency crews after eating a Christmas dinner prepared by patients. The victims suffered nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea and general weakness, paramedic captain William Olsen said. “Those are classic symptoms of food poisoning. Nobody seemed to be in a life-threatening condition,” Olsen said. Samples of the Phoenix House meal, including turkey, gravy, stuffing, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, collard greens, pies and egg nog, were sent to the Health Department for testing.