Elderly Man Dies In Salmonella Outbreak

The state Department of Health today reported a man in his 80s has died as a result of the salmonella outbreak most likely caused by tainted zeppoles from DeFusco's Bakery in Cranston and Johnston.

The man's identity has not been released.

The health department on Monday said 33 people have been reported sick and 17 have been hospitalized, nearly all reporting to have eaten zeppoles that originated from DeFusco's and were distributed to a slew of food service businesses. One of those companies was a catering firm that served the bad zeppoles at several senior centers and assisted living facilities.

The origin of the illness is likely the consumption of zeppole pastries that came in contact with raw eggs, the health department said. Pastry shells at DeFusco's were being stored in used egg crates, which could have exposed the shells to infected raw egg. The state lab is working through the weekend to pinpoint the exact source of the outbreak by testing food samples.

The health department also expanded its list of establishments that sold the tainted zeppoles. It learned American Bakery Suppliers, a distributor in West Warwick, bought zeppoles from DeFusco's and sold them to three companies; Roch's Market in West Warwick; Meal Works, a caterer in Coventry; and Touch of Class Catering in West Warwick. Meal Works served the zeppoles at March 18 events at West Warwick Manor Senior Center, St. John and Paul Church in Coventry, Sparrow Point in West Warwick and Crescent Park in Riverside.

Zeppoles from Johnston were sold at all DeFusco's locations, Colvitto's Bistro in Narragansett, Sal's Bakery in Providence, and Focaccia World in Johnston. All five Crugnale Bakery locations also sold the zeppoles at their Providence, East Providence, North Providence, Cranston and Cumberland locations between March 16 and 20. In yesterday's release, the agency incorrectly identified Calvitto's in Narragansett as an establishment that sold the tainted zeppoles.

During the investigation, inspectors found unsafe food storage practices at Buono's Bakery in Providence where zeppole, cream puff and eclair shells were also stored in used egg crates. As a result, the health department is advising anyone who bought those items from Buono's Bakery to discard them.

"Boxes that contained eggs or raw meat product should never be used for any other purpose," the release said.

 was issued after health inspectors found pastry cream stored at unsafe temperatures "as well as unsanitary conditions in the store," the release stated. The DeFusco's Bakery location in Johnston was voluntarily closed until further notice.

Salmonella will incubate in the body from one to three days after being ingested. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, cramps and fever that lasts from four days to a week. Young children and the elderly are at higher risk. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/

For an updated list of locations that served the zeppoles, visit http://1.usa.gov/RI-salmonella.