According to the Jefferson County Colorado Health Department, at least 28 people have become sick from Salmonella poisoning while dining at The Fort restaurant in Morrison. Customers became ill after eating at the restaurant between July 10 and July 16.
Health department officials think the salmonella is linked to undercooked eggs. Many diners became ill after eating rattlesnake cakes, an exotic dish that contained the eggs. The department has sent samples of the salmonella strain (unreported as yet) to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see if it’s linked to outbreaks elsewhere in the country.
However, from “The Fort’s” menu:
Appetizers
Rattlesnake Cake
A Diamondback Rattlesnake Cake (similar to a crab cake) topped with a sweet and spicy avacodo (sic) relish and cilantro micro greens, served with Dixon chile (sic) aoli (sic). $25 (subject to availability)
Interestingly, a few years ago, capsules of dried rattlesnake meat an apparent Hispanic folk remedy purported to cure a host of health problems including acne, impotence, AIDS and cancer (almost as good as raw milk) – can be contaminated with a potentially lethal strain of Salmonella bacteria – Salmonella arizonae. See full Story.
Perhaps eggs are not the culprit? I wonder if the cakes taste like chicken?