South Bay : Officials Investigate Salmonella Poisonings

County health officials are looking into the cause of a food poisoning outbreak that sickened at least 17 people and possibly 68 others who recently dined at a Torrance eatery.

At least five people were hospitalized after ingesting salmonella bacteria, often found in meats and dairy products. The illness is not lethal but those affected suffer fever, diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. The contagion is especially troublesome for infants and the elderly, who have difficulty replenishing lost fluids, said Dr. Laurene Mascola of the county’s acute communicable disease control unit.

According to Mascola, 85 people reported similar symptoms after ordering the Sunday buffet Aug. 13 at the Soup Exchange restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway.

Soup Exchange owner Ivan Jacobs said the salmonella contamination was his restaurant’s first in almost seven years in business. He added that he had corrected 24 health code violations identified by a county inspection team Aug. 17 and called the infractions minor.