The Denver Rescue Mission’s own investigation has concluded that proper food handling procedures were not followed after a donation of prepared food and that led to 60 people becoming so ill that they required hospitalization.
“When we handle pre-prepared food it’s about two things: temperature and timing,” said mission President and CEO Brad Meuli. “On Sunday we didn’t handle that food properly.”
The mission fed about 340 people on Sunday. About 200 are thought to have eaten the suspected tainted turkey.
Emergency crews responded after dinner at about 7:30 p.m. and had to close Lawrence Street between 22nd and 23rd streets while they evaluated people at the shelter.
By the end of the night, to various hospitals.
Meuli said the mission has procedures in place including for cooling prepared food when it comes in hot, which ensures the food is stored at the proper temperature. This must be done in a timely manner to prevent the food from spoiling.
The kitchen is always staffed by employees who are are certified and know the procedure, Meuli said.
“The reason I know they know the procedure is because it has never happened before,” Meuli said. “But we do have a lot of volunteers and so we are constantly training folks.”
Meuli said they don’t yet have more details about exactly who might have made a mistake in processing the prepared turkey that was donated Sunday.
He would not reveal the source of the food thought to have sickened mission clients. “We get pre-prepared food from a lot of locations, rather than me pointing the blame, we’re just taking responsibility.”
The Denver Department of Environmental Health is investigating the incident. The final report may be completed by early next week.
Officials still will not release details about labwork that may indicate what type of food poisoning sent the 60 people to the hospital.
For the time being, the Denver Rescue Mission is not serving any pre-prepared food.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372, yrobles@denverpost.com or twitter.com/yeseniarobles
