Five lawsuits have been filed against an Avondale taqueria following a salmonella outbreak that left dozens ill.
As of Thursday, 55 cases of salmonella have been linked to an outbreak at Carniceria Guanajuato, 3140 N. California Ave., according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.
City health officials issued a warning that anyone who dined at the taqueria or who have bought ready-made meals from its grocery store since Aug. 29 might have been exposed to salmonella.
“Investigation into the source of infections remains ongoing and management continues to work closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health,” city spokesman Jacob Martin said.
The taqueria remains closed, he said.
One customer was placed on a ventilator and remains on dialysis, according to attorney Bill Marler, who said his firm has filed five lawsuits against the restaurant on behalf of people who tested positive for salmonella, a bacteria that commonly causes food poisoning.
The restaurant and grocery store were inspected Sept. 8 after a report of food poisoning, according to city records. Inspectors reported raw beef and raw shelled eggs were stored above ready-to-eat sliced lettuce, and found other items stored at improper temperatures.
The restaurant was instructed to clean and sanitize certain food preparation areas, install working thermometers inside restaurant coolers and correct labeling of prepared foods, among other fixes, city records show.
