LAKE CITY, Fla. – The more than 30 concurrent cases of food poisoning at a science competition in Lake City on Saturday were caused by a toxin-producing bacteria in pulled pork.
The people were taken to a hospital Saturday for what officials believe was a food-borne illness contracted at a science fair held at Florida Gateway College.
Multiple agencies were called to College, where at least 28 minors attending the Florida Science Olympiad competition were suffering from food poisoning caused by Staphylococcus aureus.The backteria was found in the pork at a level well above the standard cutoff threshold used to confirm a food borne illness outbreak. S. aureus is commonly found on the skin and hair as well as in the noses and throats of people and animals. These bacteria are present in up to 25 percent of healthy people and are even more common among those with skin, eye, nose, or throat infections, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Due to the volume of people needing treatment, ambulances were called in from neighboring counties, and the patients were taken to Lake City Medical Center and Shands Lake Shore.
About 200 students, chaperones, teachers and FGC faculty and staff were at the competition, according to the college.
The college said it confirmed 32 individuals were hospitalized for the food-borne illness, and as of 8 p.m. Saturday, all had been treated and released.
College staff went to both hospitals and remained in contact with those who fell ill to make sure all their needs were met, a college spokesman said.
According to the college, the event was sponsored by various organizations and the food had been provided by volunteers and other organizations and was not catered by the college.