Subway Food Poisoning
Subway is one of the world’s most famous quick-serve sandwich restaurants. With over 37,000 locations across 100 countries, it serves millions of people annually. However, there have been instances where customers fell sick with food poisoning after eating at a Subway restaurant. As a result, Subway has faced several lawsuits.
Lawsuits concerning Subway food poisoning allege victims became ill after eating food tainted with salmonella, hepatitis A, norovirus, or shigella. While most victims recovered from their illnesses, some required hospitalization.
Common Causes of Food Poisoning at Subway
Subway creates its sandwiches using assorted deli meats, vegetables, cheese, and sauces. Many of these ingredients are at an increased risk of bacterial or viral contamination, particularly if stored or prepared improperly. Unsafe food handling practices can also enhance food poisoning risks.
Possible Sources of Contaminated Food at Subway
Some of the ingredients Subway uses that carry an increased risk of food poisoning include the following.
Chicken
Many of Subway’s most famous sandwiches contain chicken, including the Chicken & Bacon Ranch Melt and Oven Roasted Chicken sandwich. However, poultry is one of the most common sources of food poisoning, with raw chicken frequently containing campylobacter bacteria or salmonella. Also, if chicken sits out too long at the restaurant, it may lead to bacterial growth that increases the risk of foodborne illnesses.
Lettuce
Lettuce is used on virtually every Subway sandwich. However, this vegetable is a frequent source of bacterial contamination, particularly E. coli, listeria, and salmonella. Contamination occurs at different points. For example, it may develop from dirty water that gets into the soil or unclean equipment during transportation.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are another ingredient used in many Subway sandwiches. Like lettuce, tomatoes may become contaminated with E. coli, salmonella, or listeria. Contamination may occur from polluted water that enters the soil or at different points in the supply chain and transportation process.
Deli Meat
Deli meat, including sliced ham, turkey, bacon, salami, and pepperoni, is frequently used in Subway sandwiches. Deli meats can be a source of food poisoning because they may contain bacteria such as listeria or Staphylococcus aureus. Contamination typically occurs during processing or manufacturing, especially when machines aren’t regularly cleaned, or staff doesn’t practice proper hygiene.
Deli meat left sitting out or not correctly refrigerated also carries a higher risk of food poisoning.
Other Causes of Food Poisoning at Subway
Contaminated food isn’t the only reason someone may become sick from eating at Subway. Other reasons for food poisoning include:
- Poor food handling practices: Failing to properly rinse vegetables, separate ingredients, or use different cutting boards and utensils may increase contamination risk.
- Unwashed hands: Subway employees must thoroughly wash their hands before handling food and utensils.
- Food sitting out too long: Allowing food to sit out at room temperature allows bacteria to flourish.
- Cross-contamination: Contaminated food that touches other utensils or ingredients allows bacteria to spread.
- Fecal matter: Tiny bits of fecal matter that transfer from hands to food or utensils may cause severe illness.
- Undercooked meats: If meat isn't cooked thoroughly, it may harbor bacteria that cause food poisoning.
- Improper food storage: All foods must be refrigerated or stored at the proper temperature before serving.
Types of Contaminants That Can Be Spread
Several forms of contaminants may taint foods commonly used in Subway sandwiches. Below are some of the most typical contaminants found on Subway’s ingredients.
Salmonella
Salmonella primarily spreads through undercooked chicken, meat, and eggs. However, any food, including deli meat, vegetables, and fruit, may harbor salmonella. Cross-contamination may occur when employees fail to wash their hands, utensils, cutting boards, plates, and other items that touch salmonella-tainted food.
E. coli
E. coli spreads through raw and undercooked meat, cheese, vegetables, and sprouts. Improper food handling and storage practices may allow E. coli to proliferate.
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a type of viral contaminant that causes short-term liver infection. Most people recover from the illness within several weeks, but more vulnerable individuals may experience liver failure. Hepatitis A typically spreads when infected individuals handle food or drinks without following proper food safety protocols. Raw vegetables and lettuce are the most common ingredients used by Subway that may contain hepatitis A.
Listeria
Listeria is a particularly dangerous type of foodborne bacteria because it is resistant to many techniques used to kill bacteria, including cooking. It also grows even when foods are refrigerated. Listeria may be found in various foods, including soft cheese and deli meats.
Campylobacter
Undercooked chicken is a primary source of campylobacter, a bacteria that causes foodborne illness. Campylobacter also may contaminate other foods it contacts, including cheese. It lives on food surfaces and spreads easily between foods and cooking utensils.
Clostridium perfringens
Clostridium perfringens is a bacteria that commonly spreads through meat and chicken. Restaurants that practice improper food handling practices, such as allowing food to sit out or failing to heat food to proper temperatures, may cause the bacteria to proliferate.
Historical Cases of Food Poisoning Outbreaks at Subway
Multiple cases of food poisoning have involved Subway restaurants. In 2012, a food poisoning outbreak that sickened 120 people and killed one individual in the UK and Ireland was linked to Subway restaurants using chicken contaminated by a salmonella strain. The company tried to keep its involvement in the food poisoning under wraps for weeks. When a government agency suggested that Subway was the source of contaminated meat, Subway issued a statement describing its food supply chain as safe.
In 2010, a salmonella outbreak linked to an Aurora, Illinois, Subway caused nearly 100 people to fall ill. Of those affected, 26 were hospitalized. The location removed multiple vegetables thought to be the source of the bacteria. One individual ultimately filed a personal injury lawsuit for the damages she suffered.
An outbreak of shigellosis traced to a Lombard, Illinois, Subway resulted in 12 confirmed cases of food poisoning. Six of the affected individuals required hospitalization.
In 1999, over 40 people developed hepatitis A after eating at two Subway locations in the Seattle area. One of the victims, a child, developed acute liver failure and required a transplant. Others were hospitalized.
Safety Tips When Eating at Restaurants such as Subway
Thousands of restaurants serve fast and fast-casual food, similar to Subway. If you decide to dine at one, there are several ways to minimize your risk of food poisoning.
Start by examining the restaurant’s cleanliness. You can view the preparation area because Subway prepares sandwiches in front of you rather than in a kitchen. If you notice unclean utensils sitting out, lots of food debris, or a dirty floor, it’s a sign the restaurant doesn’t take food handling responsibilities seriously. You also may scan the restaurant’s tables and dining area to see whether staff wipes them down or if they’re left dirty.
Another thing to look for is food temperature. Subway-style restaurants typically keep ingredients on a sandwich bar, which uses ice to keep them cold. However, if ingredients appear to have been sitting out for a while, you might want to steer clear.
It’s important to carefully inspect high-risk foods, such as lettuce, green peppers, tomatoes, and deli meat. Look for signs of cross-contamination or improper storage. You may also assess the employees’ general cleanliness, such as wearing their hair back and using gloves to prepare food.
Safety When Eating Takeout Foods
Many consumers opt to order takeout or delivery. To minimize your risk of food poisoning, eat takeout or delivery foods immediately rather than letting them sit.
If you can’t eat immediately, plan to store food properly. You can store a sandwich in your refrigerator as long as the temperature is below 40 F. If you order hot takeout food, you may also store it in the refrigerator. However, reheating it to at least 140 F before consuming it is advisable.
What To Do if You Got Sick From Subway
If you develop a case of food poisoning that you suspect is from a Subway sandwich, your first step is to seek medical attention. A physician can examine you and review your symptoms. They also may confirm the type of food poisoning you have and what bacteria caused it. Remember that food poisoning may be severe or even life-threatening sometimes, so it’s vital to get treatment quickly.
After confirming a case of food poisoning, notify your local health department authorities. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains a list of city and county health departments on its website. Notifying authorities immediately allows inspectors to investigate the food poisoning’s cause, potentially protecting others from getting sick.
Generally, people recover from food poisoning within a few days. Resting and staying hydrated can ease your symptoms. Once you start to feel better, you can eat bland foods for a few days before resuming your regular eating habits. However, if symptoms are severe, you may require hospitalization.
How To Seek Compensation From Subway for Food Sickness
A case of food poisoning can easily put you in the hospital or cause highly distressing symptoms. It may even be life-threatening. If you experience food poisoning caused by dining at Subway, you may have a lawsuit. The attorneys at Keep Food Safe can explain your legal options and potentially pursue compensation on your behalf.
To learn more, contact us to arrange a free consultation.
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